Sunday, October 26, 2008

MI Chief: Syria Has Become Hezbollah De Facto Arsenal


Al-Manar

"26/10/2008 Israeli Military Intelligence Chief Amos Yadlin told the cabinet on Sunday that Syria was continuing to arm Hezbollah, and had in fact become the Lebanese resistance group's arsenal.

"(President Bachar) Assad is continuing to throw open the doors of Syria's warehouses for Hezbollah, and has become 'Hezbollah's arsenal.' Assad trusts Hezbollah more than his own army and Hezbollah operatives act in Syria as if it's their own [country]," said Yadlin.

A key Israeli demand in indirect peace negotiations with Syria is that it cut its ties with Hezbollah, and in particular, cease supplying the resistance group with weapons.

Yadlin did actually say he believed Assad was interested in a peace deal with Israel "on his conditions," but was waiting for the establishment of a new administration in the United States.

Yadlin added that, "The Syrians have removed almost every restraint; in their irresponsible behavior they are giving Hezbollah possession of almost every strategic capability they own."

Yadlin also said that Hezbollah is still seeking to avenge the death of its former military commander Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in a bombing in February that shook a residential neighborhood of Damascus. Hezbollah says it was orchestrated by Israel. "

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