Barak Not Comfortable with Supply of U.S. Arms to Lebanese Army
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak criticized on Tuesday the supply of U.S. arms to the Lebanese army, saying such weapons could end up in Hizbullah”s hands.
"We don”t like the supply of American weapons to Lebanon”s army over recent months, as well as those planned; these arms are likely to reach Hizbullah”s hands," Israeli daily Haaretz quoted Barak as saying during a conference in Ramat Gan.
The minister also said that the new Lebanese cabinet should abide by U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah.
"The new government in Lebanon needs to be given a political chance, but it must abide by agreements – first of all, resolution 1701," he said, according to Haaretz.
Israeli Deputy Premier Silvan Shalom also commented on the victory of the March 14 coalition in Sunday”s parliamentary elections in Lebanon.
Speaking during a tour of Kiryat Shmona, Shalom said: "These results are very significant because they keep Lebanon alive and prevent the consolidation of Iran”s power."
He also told reporters that "there is always a fear of high tensions on the northern front, but in light of the blow Hizbullah suffered in 2006, it will think twice before doing something."
Shalom warned last week a victory by Hizbullah in the elections would be very dangerous for the stability of the Middle East, and by that, the stability of the entire world.