NICOSIA [MENL] - The Iranian-sponsored Hezbollah has received SA-18 surface-to-air missiles from Syria.

Lebanese opposition sources said Hezbollah received the Russian-origin SA-18 from Syria in late 2006. The sources said the anti-aircraft missile systems were being concealed in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border.

"Hezbollah intends to significantly increase its anti-aircraft capabilities for any future war with Israel," an opposition source, with contacts in the Lebanese Army, said.

Hezbollah deployed SA-7 anti-aircraft systems during the war against Israel in mid-2006. But the sources said the SA-7 was ineffective against high-flying Israeli aircraft, equipped with counter-measures.