This marked the first Israeli confirmation of reports over the last few
weeks of Syrian shipments of Scud B missiles to Hizbullah. Officials said
several Scud shipments were said to have been completed through Lebanon's
Bekaa Valley.
"The transfer of arms from Syria to Hizbullah and Syria's support of
terrorist organizations does not square with its declarations of seeking
peace," Peres said. "We will not allow Syria to play this double game. The
transfer of weapons reveals Syria's true face."
Israel's military has confirmed the Scud shipments to Hizbullah.
Officials acknowledged that a Hizbullah Scud arsenal marked a major and
immediate threat to most of Israel.
"The introduction of systems that upset the balance endangers stability
and calm," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said.
Officials said Israel has sought to recruit international support to
block Hizbullah deployment of the Scuds in Lebanon. They said France and the
United States have agreed to pressure the Lebanese government and Syria to
prevent the emergence of a Scud missile arsenal for the Iranian-sponsored
militia.
"We have relayed our concerns at the highest levels about weapons that
could destabilize the region," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said
on April 14.
