Israel Matzav

Assad threatens UNIFIL

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has warned French President Nicolas Sarkozy, that the French-led UNIFIL force in Lebanon will be in danger if Assad's Hezbullah allies are found liable for the murder of then-Lebanese President Rafik al-Hariri.

An envoy sent by Syrian President Basha Al-Assad has warned French President Nicolas Sarkozy that members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will be in danger if Hizbullah is indicted in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri, according to the Lebanese daily Al-Achbar. The newspaper says that the Saudi government offered to exchange the indictment of the international investigation commission for the periodic reports the commission issues, so as to prevent a strong reaction by the Shi'ite terrorist party, but Hizbullah rejected the offer.

The findings of the commission, which apparently point at senior Hizbullah members, have been cited by experts as a reason for tension along the Lebanese-Israeli border, including a Lebanese army sniper's recent killing of Israeli Lieutenant Colonel Dov Harari.

In these parts, that's considered a threat, not a warning. Hmmm.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:34 AM