had discussed managing a Syrian collapse, the Israeli government official said on Monday, “You can presume that these sorts of issues came up with American officials when they visited recently in Israel.” He gave no details and spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the contents of confidential discussions with reporters

(AP) JERUSALEM – Israeli leaders have discussed with visiting American envoys how to manage a Syrian government collapse, an Israeli official said Monday, as Syria made an unprecedented admission of possessing weapons of mass destruction.

The reference to the chemical and biological weapons came in a threat to use them in case of a foreign attack. The open admission underlined Israel’s concerns about the rapidly deteriorating regime of President Bashar Assad.

Israel and the U.S. are concerned that Syria’s stockpile of chemical weapons could fall into the hands of Islamist militants should the regime in Damascus crumble. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Sunday that his country would “have to act” if necessary to safeguard this arsenal from rogue poachers.

Syria: Chemical, biological weapons could be used if there is “external aggression”Jordan aims to ward off Syrian chemical attackWikiLeaks: Western firms boosted Syrian communications network

More in After the Arab Spring

Syria is believed to have nerve agents as well as mustard gas, Scud missiles capable of delivering these lethal chemicals and a variety of advanced conventional arms, including anti-tank rockets and late-model portable anti-aircraft missiles.

Asked if Israel and the U.S. had discussed managing a Syrian collapse, the Israeli government official said on Monday, “You can presume that these sorts of issues came up with American officials when they visited recently in Israel.”

He gave no details and spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the contents of confidential discussions with reporters.

U.S. National Security Adviser Tom Donilon and 바카라 프로그램 Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Israel about a week ago, and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is expected in Israel next week.