Peres attempts to calm fears over Hizbullah`s arms

Source: AFP, 21-2-2007
JERUSALEM (AL-QUDS): Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres said Tuesday that he saw no cause for "Israeli" concern about Hizbullah building up its military might, following last year`s war.
"I expect they do have more weapons but I don`t see that as a reason to get hysterical," he told reporters during a tour of "Israel`s" border with Lebanon.
He was speaking one day after "Israeli" General Yossi Beidatz reportedly told lawmakers that Hizbullah was now militarily stronger than before the war "Israel" fought in Lebanon from July 12 to August 14.
"The issue isn`t weapons, but their use. And in my opinion, the blow we dealt them in the last war is still fresh in their memory whatever they say," said Peres, "Israel`s" elder statesman.
"Israel" sought to destroy the resistance group in its 34-day bombardment of Lebanon, but failed to stop rocket attacks or retrieve two captured soldiers.
An additional 120 "Israeli" soldiers died in the war and about 1,200 people died in Lebanon, most of them civilians.
"Israeli" Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer recently said that the Jewish state should expect a new war with Hizbullah in 2007.