Iran hosts international conference backing war effort

NICOSIA — Iran is hosting an international conference to support the Palestinian mini-war against Israel as a followup to an earlier summit of terrorist organizations in Beirut. About 35 Arab and Islamic nations were expected to participate in the meetings which opened yesterday. But the Hizbullah delegation was the center of attention.

Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah arrived last week in Teheran and is leading a delegation to the conference and other meetings, Middle East Newsline reported. Nasrallah often reports to his Iranian sponsors for instructions and aid.

Hizbullah's next move against Israel is a focal point of the week.

Iranian leader Ali Khamenei was quoted as telling Nasrallah to continue attacks against Israel. Iranian state television reported Khamenei said the Lebanese Shi'ite movement should take action along the Lebanese border with Israel and cooperate with Palestinian and Lebanese groups.

"Hizbullah should be vigilant and take the initiative in fighting against the Zionist regime," Iranian television said in a report on Khamenei's meeting.

Iranian sources said the talks center on Hizbullah's plans to confront Israel in wake of a missile attack that killed an Israeli soldier along the Lebanese border earlier this month. Israel retaliated by destroying a Syrian radar station in Lebanon.

Israeli military sources said Iran has accelerated weapons shipments to Hizbullah. This has included deliveries of Katyusha rockets with a range of 70 kilometers.

The sources said Hizbullah has also launched cooperation with the Force 17 praetorian guard of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. Hizbullah has trained Force 17 as well as supplied its members with mortars, rockets and missiles.

Palestinian sources said PA Chairman Yasser Arafat would attend the conference if he follows through with plans to visit Teheran on Thursday.

This, while Arafat aide, PLO Central Committee chairman Salim Zaanoun postponed a trip to Damascus scheduled for Sunday. Zaanoun was to have met Palestinian opposition groups.