"Israel" worries over unstable situation in Lebanon
Source: AFP, 12-05-2008
OCCUPIED 'JERUSALEM' (AL-QUDS): 'Israeli' Defense (War) Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday called the situation in Lebanon "serious" after deadly clashes between pro-US backed government and opposition forces, some of which are backed by 'Israel's' arch-foe, Iran. "Hizbullah's taking of control is a serious development," Barak said during the weekly cabinet meeting, public radio reported.
Barak's view was shared by other 'Israeli' ministers who raised doubts about the ability of the Lebanese government and army to control the occupation-resistance movement and its allies, which briefly seized control of large parts of the capital before withdrawing on Saturday and Sunday.
Gunmen from Hizbullah and its opposition partners withdrew after the army on Saturday revoked government decisions taken against the Shiite Muslim movement.
However, fighting erupted Sunday in mainly Druze areas southeast of Beirut, pitting supporters of the US backed government against rivals from the national opposition.
'Israeli' military intelligence chief General Amos Yadlin told the cabinet that "the moderate camp has suffered another blow in Beirut" against "Hizbullah, which has shown its military strength," a senior official said.
The government is also concerned that unrest in Lebanon will boost Iran's influence with Hizbullah and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.
"The most dangerous possibility for us is to see Iran's proxies take control of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon because the fates of both regions are connected," Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai told 'Israeli' public radio.
'Israel' has long accused Iran of backing Hizbullah - with fought 'Israeli' ground forces to a virtual standstill during the 2006 war - and Hamas, which seized power in Gaza nearly a year ago.
"[Egyptian] President Hosni Mubarak recently declared that Egypt already has a border with Iran with the Gaza Strip. For us it's even worse because it's not only the Gaza Strip but also Lebanon in the north," Vilnai was quoted as saying.
The deputy minister said that 'Israel' did not intend to intervene in the crisis but had to "keep its eyes open."
'Israel' launched the 2006 war after Hizbullah fighters captured two 'Israeli' soldiers in a cross-border raid. The 34-day conflict killed about 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians.
OCCUPIED 'JERUSALEM' (AL-QUDS): 'Israeli' Defense (War) Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday called the situation in Lebanon "serious" after deadly clashes between pro-US backed government and opposition forces, some of which are backed by 'Israel's' arch-foe, Iran. "Hizbullah's taking of control is a serious development," Barak said during the weekly cabinet meeting, public radio reported.
Barak's view was shared by other 'Israeli' ministers who raised doubts about the ability of the Lebanese government and army to control the occupation-resistance movement and its allies, which briefly seized control of large parts of the capital before withdrawing on Saturday and Sunday.
Gunmen from Hizbullah and its opposition partners withdrew after the army on Saturday revoked government decisions taken against the Shiite Muslim movement.
However, fighting erupted Sunday in mainly Druze areas southeast of Beirut, pitting supporters of the US backed government against rivals from the national opposition.
'Israeli' military intelligence chief General Amos Yadlin told the cabinet that "the moderate camp has suffered another blow in Beirut" against "Hizbullah, which has shown its military strength," a senior official said.
The government is also concerned that unrest in Lebanon will boost Iran's influence with Hizbullah and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.
"The most dangerous possibility for us is to see Iran's proxies take control of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon because the fates of both regions are connected," Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai told 'Israeli' public radio.
'Israel' has long accused Iran of backing Hizbullah - with fought 'Israeli' ground forces to a virtual standstill during the 2006 war - and Hamas, which seized power in Gaza nearly a year ago.
"[Egyptian] President Hosni Mubarak recently declared that Egypt already has a border with Iran with the Gaza Strip. For us it's even worse because it's not only the Gaza Strip but also Lebanon in the north," Vilnai was quoted as saying.
The deputy minister said that 'Israel' did not intend to intervene in the crisis but had to "keep its eyes open."
'Israel' launched the 2006 war after Hizbullah fighters captured two 'Israeli' soldiers in a cross-border raid. The 34-day conflict killed about 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians.
