Hezbollah missiles in Beirut

In an article published by the weekly al Usbu al Arabi, Professor Walid Phares said the crisis of the SCUD missiles sent by Syria to Hezbollah is now becoming an issue related to the entire missiles arsenal of Hezbollah as regional and international concerns are growing about the threat these weapons pose on the security of the region, and on US national security as well. Phares added that US and European decision makers are concerned about this arsenal which according to Secretary Gates is larger than most countries arsenals in the world.

"The United States are concerned about these missiles at a time the issue of the Iranian nuclear arms aren't resolved yet. Having these types of missiles in the hands of Hezbollah in a sensitive region where Syria can ship scores of missiles across uncontrolled borders with Lebanon, is a dangerous matter. Deploying Iranian and Syrian strategic missiles in Lebanon at one thousand miles from Europe will generate an international crisis."

The article quotes a Gulf Arab diplomat expressing great concerns about the deployment of missiles in Lebanon and indicating that talks are underway at the UN to address the problematic Lebanese Syrian border where weapons are being sent to Hezbollah." The diplomat was quoted saying the UN Security Council must put teeth to UNSCR 1701 which explicitly forbids equipping Hezbollah with additional weapons.

© Copyright 2003 by walidphares.com

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