Israel Matzav

Lebanon threatening to shoot down Israeli planes

On September 25, I reported that Lebanon asked Belgium for anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles to defend their country against 'Israeli aggression.' It sounds like they're getting the anti-aircraft missiles anyway.

Both the Jerusalem Post and YNet are reporting that Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr is threatening that in a few months Lebanon will be able to shoot down Israeli aircraft flying over his country. Murr was speaking in an interview with the London-based Arabic daily al-Hayat.

"After the withdrawal of the Israeli enemy, there are two types of violations: those which violate the "blue line" which we will set in coordination with the UN next week once Israel returns to the outposts they have been maintaining since 2000, and violations which happen from the air. There are clear orders from the army command to fire at any plane which enters Lebanese airspace. As to the political realm – we are sending complaints to the UN on a daily basis about these violations."

Murr expressed his hopes that "these violations will end soon, and if not, the Lebanese army will stand up to them with all of the necessary measures in preparations for the next few months when we will receive new missiles against aircraft, ships, and land forces."

Murr also claimed that

"The Lebanese army has been deployed along the border (with Syria), on the mountains and in the valleys. I am emphasizing that there are 8,600 soldiers, which are more than four divisions deployed in the area. There has not been any instance of a violation, even smuggling of oil, cigarettes, and other products from Lebanon to Syria and vice-versa."

Of course, if they give Hezbullah permission to bring weapons in from Syria, that wouldn't be a violation or smuggling. In fact, unfortunately, it wouldn't even violate UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:47 PM