Iran steps us shipments to Hizbullah; Cohen urges Syria to exercise restraint
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Saturday, January 13, 2001
TEL AVIV — U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen has called on Syria to restrain the Hizbullah from launching an attack on Israel. Meanwhile Iran has increased the shipment of weapons to the
Lebanese Hizbullah as the militia prepares for renewed fighting with Israel.
Israeli military sources said Iran has increased delivery of such
arms as mortars, rockets and anti-tank weapons. Iran has also trained
Palestinians to infiltrate Israel with handgliders.
In Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen warned against an
outbreak of war along the Israeli-Lebanon border. Cohen urged Syria to
restrain Hizbullah.
"Syria has a new president, and I think it's very important that the
Syrian leadership not mistake what is taking place in Israel as any sign of
weakness," Cohen said. "There's some notion that somehow, because the
Israelis either pulled out unilaterally out of southern Lebanon or failed to
respond militarily when some of their soldiers were kidnapped and
apprehended, that Israel is weak. That would be a big mistake."
The military sources said Hizbullah has increased its presence along the
border with Israel. They said a Hizbullah attack, approved by Syria, is
expected any day.
The sources acknowledged that Israel has also bolstered its forces along
the northern border. This includes the addition of anti-aircraft batteries.
For its part, Hizbullah has stepped up threats to launch attacks on
Israel. The head of the Hizbullah faction in the Lebanese parliament,
Mohammed Ra'id, warned that his movement will abduct additional Israeli
soldiers unless the Jewish state fulfills Hizbullah demands to free Lebanese
detainees.
In October, Hizbullah abducted three Israeli soldiers.
Ra'id said that Hizbullah does not fear Israeli threats and that the
movement is strong enough to confront the Jewish state. The parliamentarian
said Hizbullah has improved its weaponry.
Saturday, January 13, 2001
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