JERUSALEM - The Israeli army went into a high state of alert on the Lebanese border Sunday amid new fears of an attack by the Shiite fundamentalist militia Hezbollah, a military spokesman said.

The spokesman refused to give any information on measures that Israel was taking.

Israeli radio and television channels reported the military had gone on the "maximum" state of alert to thwart any new offensive across the border from the Lebanese militia Hezbollah ahead of the Jewish state's March 28 election.

The Israeli government has warned the Lebanese government it would be held responsible "for all that could happen", state television reported.

The military has shut down roads running parallel to the border and farmers have been told not to head to adjoining fields, the television said.

On February 3, Israeli warplanes raided southern Lebanon after Hezbollah attacked Israeli positions in the disputed Shebaa Farms border area.

Israel captured the Shebaa Farms from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war. The mountainous area is now claimed by Lebanon, with the backing of Damascus.

The border has been a scene of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah since the Jewish state withdrew from south Lebanon in 2000, ending its 22-year presence there.

Copyright © 1999-2006 Lebanonwire^®.com. All rights reserved.