12 “Israeli” jets violate Lebanese airspace

Source: Compiled by Daily Star, 10-11-2006
Twelve "Israeli" jets violated Lebanese airspace on Thursday, the Lebanese Army said. The fighter-bombers entered Lebanon at 12:25 p.m. and flew high over the coastal town of Naqoura, headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) near the borders with "Israel", an army statement said.
They then flew over other Southern regions before flying at a lower altitude over the eastern city of Baalbek, the army added. The 12 planes left Lebanese airspace at 1 p.m. after flying over Tripoli and Akkar in the North.
"It appears that these flights were deliberate. UNIFIL strongly protested to the "Israeli" authorities and asked them to cease these actions which are unacceptable and in violation of Resolution 1701," said Milos Strugar, senior adviser to the UNIFIL commander.
Defense (War) Minister Amir Peretz has claimed the overflights were necessary to monitor what he charged was continuing arms smuggling by Hizbullah.
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said on Thursday that "Israel" wanted to "take revenge on Lebanon after its humiliating withdrawal from South Lebanon in 2000."
During an interview with an Algerian radio station, Lahoud said: "`Israel` is defying all UN resolutions by its continuous sea, air and land violation of Lebanon`s sovereignty."