LOC11:12
08:12 GMT
GAZA, April 30 (KUNA) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has warned
Syria and Lebanon against launching missile attacks against Israel.
Barak, in a statement broadcast by Israel Radio, said Tel Aviv would hold
the Syrian and Lebanese governments responsible for such a possible attack on
Israel that might be staged from southern Lebanon. However, Israel would not
carry out a pre-emptive strike on either of the two Arab countries.
"It should be clear that we will hold the Lebanese Government as well as
the Syrian Government responsible for what may happen and the Lebanese
Government will be brought into account," Barak threatened.
Israel is closely following up on the armament of the Lebanese
organization, Hezbollah, that has stockpiled up to 45,000 missiles, he said.
Range of these rockets overs all the Israeli territories, he added.
He also indicated that Israel was monitoring actions of the Palestinian
group Hamas as well as Iran.
Lebanese, Syrian and Arab officials have rejected Israeli allegations about
smuggling of Scud missiles to Hezbollah via Syria, saying such charges are
intended to wage an aggression on Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri assured the Lebanese last week that
his government is holding intensive diplomatic contacts at the regional and
international levels to deter Israel from launching such an offensive on the
country. (end)
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