NICOSIA Ñ Islamic militant groups have convened in Iran to coordinate strategy as Al Qaida has threatened to launch an offensive against Israel and
the United States.
Organizers said the groups are meeting in a two-day conference in Teheran to support the Palestinians in their war against
Israel. Militant leaders at the conference endorsed the continuation of
suicide bombers against Israeli targets, according to Middle East Newsline.
The gathering, entitled "the International Conference on Imam Khomeini
and Support for Palestine," was attended by leaders from the Palestinian
groups Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine-General Command. Hizbullah was also in attendance at the
conference.
The endorsement for suicide attacks came as Israeli officials asserted
that authorities foiled 40 such bombings over the last week. The attacks
were said to have been planned by a range of Palestinian groups, mostly the
Fatah group led by Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.
Iranian cleric Ali Akhbar Mohtashemi, a founder of Hizbullah more than
20 years ago, hailed suicide bombings as having achieved greater success
against Israel than either Arab wars or peace talks with the Jewish state.
Other speakers at the conference included, PFLP-GC chief Ahmed Jibril and
Islamic Jihad head Ramadah Shallah.
Hizbullah deputy chief Naim Kassem warned that the Muslim battle with
Israel was vital for the Arab and Islamic world. Kassem said an Israeli
defeat of the Palestinians would topple both the Arab and Islamic regimes.
Al Qaida was not represented at the conference. But the movement, led by
Saudi fugitive Osama Bin Laden, issued a new warning against Israel and the
United States, saying Islamic insurgents plan to attack both Jews and their
property.
The London-based Al Hayat reported that Al Qaida plans to launch an
offensive against Israel and the United States. The group linked the two
countries in a campaign against the Palestinians and Islam.
"We confirm our continuation in working to attack Americans and Jews,
and targeting them, both people and buildings," Al Qaida spokesman Suleiman
Abu Gaith said.
Israeli officials said the Palestinians are obtaining equipment and
expertise from Iranian-backed in Lebanon. They said this includes the
deployment of motorized gliders and SA-7 anti-aircraft missiles in the Gaza
Strip for attacks. Officials said Palestinian insurgents aim to abduct a
civilian plane and use it in a suicide attack on an Israeli target.
In southern Lebanon, a leading Palestinian insurgent escaped an
assassination attempt. A bomb was hurled at the home of Fatah chief Col.
Munir Makdeh at the Ein Hilwe camp outside Sidon. Makdeh was not at home
during the attack.
