Hizbullah believes the major Israeli maneuvers that would start Sunday reflect "serious preparations for war." The Saudi newspaper al-Watan quoted an "official close to Hizbullah" as saying such maneuvers are "not a routine measure."
He noted that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has postponed a scheduled visit to Washington "which is an additional indicator that something is happening." Israel, according to the official, is ready "for a new adventure, especially that the Americans need to restore the strategic balance of powers in Lebanon and the region and regain confidence of their allies."
To achieve this alleged goal "they sent destroyers to the Mediterranean and escalated their stands against Syria and Iran," he added.
The Shiite organisation is expected to "vigilantly follow" the Israeli drill, its senior official in south Lebanon, Sheikh Nabil Kaouk, was quoted as saying Saturday. "Israel's military drill is not a testament of its strength but of its frustration and despair following its defeat in the Second Lebanon War," Sheikh Kaouk was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Lebanese daily As-Safir quoted diplomatic sources in New York as saying that Israel has asked UNIFIL “to inform the Lebanese government that the military exercise will not threaten Lebanon or Hizbullah and that "it will not include the border region.” The reported request to UNIFIL was made after Lebanon Army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman and Hizbullah ordered a heightened state of alert in southern Lebanon.
Referring to the planned Israeli military exercise, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said Thursday that his country has chosen peace as a strategic choice, but must remain alert in case of any act of aggression on Israel's part. "Syria is ready to defend itself against any aggressiveness," he told European Union ambassadors during a dinner in Damascus, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Hayat reported.
I am going to bed now and be happy that Hezbullah isn't preparing for war with their recently received long range missles from Iran. (note sarcasm in my internet voice) Of course Israel is preparing! It's obvious that Hezbollah is planning to restart a war on the Lebanon/Israel border along with Syria on the Israeli/Syria border.
Peter Waine, Liverpool UK, (2008-04-14 , 11:33) - Reply
Israel is always making war... without USA giving it billions to wage war they would of gone years ago and the Arabs would be living in peace...but when you have the USA funding thiefs and murderers what do you expect? Iran gives Hezbollah long range missiles ...what utter drivel... propoganda, the rich are suckering you into another war where you die and they make vast profits.
If not for the US funding of Israel, Arabs would be "living in peace"? Do you not see the trend playing out in the Middle-East amongst Arabs today? Shiites attacking Sunnis, and vice versa?? It is readily apparent to me that Arabs would probably prefer to fight one another than to have to lay their hands upon an unworthy "infidel". No, peace amongst the Arab population is contingent upon the desire to accept their neighbors as they are, and not upon seeing that those who do not believe as they do are utterly destroyed (...or, at least, under their thumb.)
i think that your opinion is flawed bubba. this whole deal is about the palestinians (who were forced from their land by the Zionists who then created the current infidel and illegitimate state of Israel) getting wanting to reclaim their stolen lands. Israel wants to eliminate them as a threat and further drive them away by force and killing in the name of zionism.
Before 1948, both Jews and Arabs were considered "Palestinian". Jews have lived there every bit as long as Arabs. To say that the land - which was largely vacant up to the creation of Israel - was stolen from the Arab population living there is erroneous. What Arabs want, unfortunately, is EXCLUSIVITY. That is to say, no one but Muslims may wield political power. Muslims consider it injurious to their ego that anyone other than they could acquire power in the Middle-East. It must be remembered, however, that most of those lands in the there were part of the British Mandate, and that Israel and its neighbors were all created within only a few years of one another.
Israeli leaders kill children for territory. Arabs kill children in the name of God. In the end, they will lose both - their gods, and their countries.
"It's obvious that Hezbollah is planning to restart a war on the Lebanon/Israel border along with Syria on the Israeli/Syria border."
...it's also obvious that Israhell is carrying on a campaign of genocide against the Palestinians, and blatantly stealing their land...this does not prevent you from going to bed either [note sarcasm in my internet voice].
There is no distinction - genetically - between Palestinian Arabs and any others. Even if, as you contend, that Israel has a bent toward eliminating Palestinian Arabs, it would certainly not mean an end to all Arabs. Please qualify your comment regarding "genocide". If you cannot, please be more specific in your terminology and spare us your hysterical rhetoric.
wendy wasp, Memphis USA, (2008-04-14 , 23:03) - Reply
I would like to think Hizbollah is not taking Israel's word for it they will not include the border region of Lebanon in their "exercises". It would be like Israel to try and lull the Lebanese government and surrounding region into complacency, then use the "preparedness exercises" as cover for a planned attack
It's Israel that gets its kicks trying to ever expand it's border. It's the Palestinians' land that they stole 60 years ago, the least they can do is leave their neighbors alone and stop turning the Gaza Strip into the next Dachau. Only when that happen will Israel finally taste of peace. The Palestinians are overly generous in not just outright making a bloodbath and taking all of their land back. (Don't tell me they/we would never. Remember what we did to the Native Americans.)
"Israel...gets its kicks by trying to ever expand it's border"? After having returned the Sinai to Egypt and withdrawing - unilaterally - from Gaza to those who want to create a Palestinian state, (...with plans on giving up the West Bank as well,) please illuminate me as to this alleged "expansion". BTW: Have (or would) Arabs ever given back anything that they have taken during a conflict with their "infidel" neighbors in the name of peace?
Roger, it is my sincerest hope that two wonderful Muslim couples purchase the houses that are for sale flanking yours. I mean that sincerely. May they be very nice to you. Being that you are a redneck, I think you will be sad to discover that they are not all terrorists. I know that - thriving on hatred, as you do - it would benefit you greatly to find fault with all others who are not quite as white as you, no matter if they are Jewish or Muslim. I'm sure that you will always find something harsh to say about those who do not conform to ideals of perfection.
Israel should move out of Middle East. They aren't welcomed there. They steal people's land and claim that is theirs promised by God. The truth is you are countryless.
Where in the ME is land NOT stolen? Muslims steal each other's land and kill each other all the time. As I said in a previous post, no other nation in the ME has given so much land back to their aggressive neighbors as Israel - all for peace. Go to YouTube and see what Palestinians are teaching their children on TV. If Muslims had it their way, not only Jews, but Christians, Samaritans, Druze, Zoroastrians and Manicheans would be expulsed as well. All of these peoples originated in the ME. LET THEM BE!
Roo , Why are you the only person constantly defending The Zionists. No one is perfect but everyone is tired of the hebrew bait and switch.Israel has the complete ME in flames and is stealing the water needed to put it out.
I mistakenly mentioned Manicheans in my last post. Manicheans were eliminated by intolerant Christians long ago. I had meant to say Mandeans, who still exist in very small numbers, much to the scorn and derision of the surrounding population. I also forgot to mention the Baha'i Faith, and the statues of the Buddhas that were blown up in Afghanistan.
Keep your contributions civil, tasteful and relevant. Albawaba reserves the right to be selective in publishing readers' comments
Thank you for participating. Your comment has been saved and will be visible after our moderator's approval
Hizbullah believes the major Israeli maneuvers that would start Sunday reflect "serious preparations for war." The Saudi newspaper al-Watan quoted an "official close to Hizbullah" as saying such maneuvers are "not a routine measure."
