Israel Denies Military Maneuvers Target Lebanon, UNIFIL Not Taking Extra Measures
Israel denied on Saturday a warning by Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah that current and upcoming Israeli military maneuvers were a "trick" to launch an attack on Lebanon.
Official Israeli sources said: "Nasrallah”s comments about the Israeli military maneuvers are aimed at strengthening his party”s position in the forthcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections."
On Monday, Nasrallah vowed Hizbullah stands ready to confront any possible aggression by Israel on Lebanon.
Other sources declined to comment on Nasrallah”s call for capital punishment for all suspected spies recently captured in Lebanon.
UNIFIL has informed Lebanon that the maneuvers at the end of this month were defensive in nature and not hostile.
On Saturday, UNIFIL spokesperson Yasmina Bouziane denied reports that the peacekeepers will take extra measures in response to the military exercises.
She added that UNIFIL will be working in close cooperation with the Lebanese army to ensure the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.
On Wednesday, Lebanon filed a complaint to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon protesting the Israeli military maneuvers.
Lebanon also protested Israeli violations of Lebanon”s sovereignty and resolution 1701 by forming Israeli espionage networks on its territory.