Hizbullah security team in Syria

Source: Aljazeera, 15-02-2008
Hizbullah has sent a delegation to Syria to follow up the investigation into the assassination of Imad Moghnieh, a senior commander of the Lebanese anti Zionist occupation group.
Friday's move came as Syria announced that it would soon present "irrefutable" proof of who was behind the assassination, hinting that "Israel" was responsible for the attack.
Al Jazeera's correspondent in Beirut said a Hizbullah security team left for Damascus on Friday, to assist the Syrian authorities in the investigation.
Moghnieh, one of Washington's most wanted men, was killed in a car bomb blast on Tuesday in the Kfrar Souseh district of Damascus.
'Irrefutable proof'
Walid al-Muallem, Syria's foreign minister, said: "As a state, we will irrefutably prove the party involved in this crime and who stands behind it.
"We hope that you will soon hear the results of this mighty effort."
Al-Muallem made the remarks after meeting Manouchehr Mottaki, his Iranian counterpart, who travelled to Damascus from Beirut where he attended Moghnieh's funeral.
Al-Muallem, however, declined to say whether the authorities have apprehended anyone in connection with the attack or whether there had been a breach in the security apparatus of tightly controlled Syria.
"I cannot comment to preserve the secrecy of the investigation. The fighter Imad Moghnieh was the target of lots of intelligence agencies. He was a backbone of the Islamic resistance," he said.
In a tribute to Moghnieh via video link, Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hizbullah, said on Thursday that "Israel" killed Moghnieh and that Hizbullah was ready for an "open war" declared by "Israel".
"Zionists, if you want this type of open war then let the whole world hear: let it be an open war," he said.
'Right of self-defence'
Nasrallah said the assassination was carried out outside the natural battle ground between the two sides.
"We have the right, like all human beings, of self-defence and, God willing, we will do whatever is required to defend our brothers, leaders, people and our country," he said.
Nasrallah said that while the assassination was a painful blow, it would not weaken Hizbullah or its military structure.
Over the past 15 years, he is believed to have moved in secret between Lebanon, Iran and Syria.
'Turning point'
Speaking to Al Jazeera on Friday, Imad Fawzi Shueibi, president of the Centre of Strategic Studies in Damascus, said that the assassination was a turning point in the rules of the game in the region's conflict.
He said: "The US was the only state that welcomed the assassination ... which is dangerous.
"Whoever committed this crime, 'Israel' or another state, is trying to change cards and to make a huge problem for the whole of the region."
"Israel" has denied Nasrallah's accusation and announced a state of alert in the ranks of its forces after his threats, calling on its citizens to exercise caution.
Western countries accuse Syria of being the main weapons supply route for Hizbullah, in contravention of a UN resolution.
Syria says no weapons cross its territory bound for the Hizbullah, which is also supported by Iran.
Syria participated in the US-sponsored Annapolis peace conference in November and renewed its offer to "Israel" for normal relations in return for the Golan Heights, which "Israel" occupied in 1967.