Israel Concerned Over France-Lebanon Missile Sale
JERUSALEM - Israel fears weapons sold to Lebanon's army could end up in the hands of militant group Hezbollah, an official said Dec. 19, two days after France announced it would supply anti-tank missiles to the Arab nation.
"We have raised with foreign governments our concerns of Hezbollah's growing domination of the Lebanese government apparatus and concern that weapons transfer to the Lebanese forces will in fact become part of the Hezbollah arsenal," said an Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
France on Dec. 17 confirmed it would supply the Lebanese military with 100 anti-tank missiles, despite concerns raised by both Israel and the United States.
A French official said the 100 HOT missiles, to be used by the Lebanese military's Gazelle helicopters, would be delivered before the end of February and "with no conditions attached."
In August, a U.S. lawmaker objected to the transfer saying the missiles could end up being used against Israel given despite Hezbollah's powerful position in Lebanon.
"The influence of Hezbollah militants and their Iranian and Syrian backers in the Lebanese government is rising," said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., the ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "Therefore, to sell weapons to Lebanon at this time would be very irresponsible and could jeopardise security and stability in the region," the US representative said.
Israel fought a devastating 34-day war against Hezbollah in 2006, which claimed the lives of some 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, and destroyed much of southern Lebanon.
Intelligence officials estimate Hezbollah has amassed an arsenal of more than 40,000 short and medium-range rockets, which the militant group claims can reach deep into Israel. They are also believed to have other sophisticated weapons, including anti-aircraft guns
"We have raised with foreign governments our concerns of Hezbollah's growing domination of the Lebanese government apparatus and concern that weapons transfer to the Lebanese forces will in fact become part of the Hezbollah arsenal," said an Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
France on Dec. 17 confirmed it would supply the Lebanese military with 100 anti-tank missiles, despite concerns raised by both Israel and the United States.
A French official said the 100 HOT missiles, to be used by the Lebanese military's Gazelle helicopters, would be delivered before the end of February and "with no conditions attached."
In August, a U.S. lawmaker objected to the transfer saying the missiles could end up being used against Israel given despite Hezbollah's powerful position in Lebanon.
"The influence of Hezbollah militants and their Iranian and Syrian backers in the Lebanese government is rising," said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., the ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "Therefore, to sell weapons to Lebanon at this time would be very irresponsible and could jeopardise security and stability in the region," the US representative said.
Israel fought a devastating 34-day war against Hezbollah in 2006, which claimed the lives of some 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, and destroyed much of southern Lebanon.
Intelligence officials estimate Hezbollah has amassed an arsenal of more than 40,000 short and medium-range rockets, which the militant group claims can reach deep into Israel. They are also believed to have other sophisticated weapons, including anti-aircraft guns
وأوضح أحد المسئولين العسكريين فى إسرائيل سببين لهذا التخوف، أولهما أن هذه الأسلحة سوف تزيد من قوة الحكومة اللبنانية من الداخل، والثانى أن هذه الأسلحة سوف تشاطرها حركة حزب الله. وفى السياق ذاته أضاف "جيورا إيلاند " المستشار السابق للأمن القومى لرئيس الوزراء السابق إرييل شارون وإيهود أولمرت، أن إسرائيل لا تعرف كيفية التغلب على حزب الله، وأكد أن الحرب بين إسرائيل وحزب الله سوف تتسبب فى مزيد من الضرر لحزب الله كذلك على الجبهة الإسرائيلية الداخلية أكثر، وقال إن الطريقة الوحيدة لمنع الحرب القادمة هو أن تعى كل الأطراف أن مزيدا من الحروب سوف تسبب الدمار الشامل. يذكر أن فرنسا أعربت الجمعة الماضية عن نيتها منح الجيش اللبنانى 100 صاروخا ً أرض – جو من طراز "هوت" فى شكل الهبة دون أى شرط. |
