BEIRUT: Syrian President Hafez Assad warned the Arabs today [March 28] against what he called the `danger of fragmentation` and the `calamities and tragedies` it could lead to. `If we triumph in our war against fragmentation, then we have triumphed in all our wars,` Assad said. `If we eradicate the danger of fragmentation, then we have eradicated all dangers.

Assad was addressing a mass rally in Libya marking the 5th anniversary of the withdrawal of British troops. The rally was held at the former British base of Tobruk, which has been renamed the `Gamal Abdel Nasser Base`... .. `Fragmentation is one of the left-overs of imperialism,` Assad said.

`It brought numerous disasters in the past and, if it continues will lead to more calamities and tragedies. ...

`The Syrian people, while fighting a ferocious battle for Palestine and against the Zionist aggression, extend their hands to all their brothers for co-operation, solidarity and joint defence against the dangers facing this nation,` he said. ... `We pledge [to] you that we will go on struggling without hesitation for the realisation of Arab unity. ...` President Gaddafi ... was present... . News agencies