Hizbullah, in Teheran, threatens surprise attack

NICOSIA — The Iranian-backed Hizbullah movement has threatened to launch surprise attacks against Israel.

The warning came as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon asserted that Iran is building a military base in southern Lebanon to launch Katyusha strikes deep into the Jewish state.

Hizbullah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah issued the threat during a Teheran conference meant to support the Palestinian mini-war against Israel. Nasrallah said the surprise attack would be launched by either his organization or Hizbullah's allies.

"The fully armed Zionist military should wait for surprise attacks by Palestinian resistance groups," Nasrallah said. "Victory belongs to us." Nasrallah urged Palestinians to adopt the Hizbullah model in refusing to negotiate or compromise with Israel. He cited Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Lebanon last May.

"We must chase down the enemy with an unrelenting resistance just as in Lebanon," Nasrallah said.

Nasrallah's ally, Hamas leader Khalid Mashaal. agreed. Hamas has claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in the Israeli city of Kfar Saba on Sunday.

"Our people categorically reject any return to the negotiating table," Mashaal said. "We want suicide attacks and mortar attacks."

The conference is being attended by 34 Islamic nations. Iraq did not send a representative. Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat is being represented by PLO Central Committee member Salim Zaanoun.

Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei assured his guests that Israel would soon be eliminated. "I assure you that the Israeli regime is decayed from within and the present generation is by no means prepared to make any sacrifices for its preservation," Khamenei said.