Israel Matzav

Hezbullah threatens to kill UNIFIL soldiers if members indicted in Hariri murder

The UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, will not be safe if there is strife following the release of an indictment into the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, former Cabinet minister Wi’am Wahhab has warned.

Wahhab, a pro-Syrian politician allied with Hizbullah, has repeatedly lashed out at the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), dismissing it as an “American-Israeli” tool designed to target the resistance. He and other leaders in the March 8 camp have called for the abolition of the STL altogether. The STL is expected to issue its indictment into Hariri’s killing this month.

“If the outside [world] is indifferent toward strife in Lebanon, we can confirm that in the event of strife, UNIFIL troops in Lebanon will not be left in peace,” Wahhab said in a statement published by newspapers Sunday.

A UNIFIL spokesperson refused to comment on Wahhab’s remarks when contacted by The Daily Star. “Usually, we don’t comment on such reports,” he said.

Wahhab said that if strife occurs, there will be no need for UNIFIL to stay in south Lebanon, accusing the UN peacekeepers of serving as spies for Israel.

Labels: Hezbullah, Rafik al-Hariri, Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Wi'am Wahhab

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:59 AM