The Lebanese newspaper, al Safir, which is close to Hezbollah, on Thursday published an article attacking the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

"UNIFIL troops are ignoring the negative impact that some of their actions have on people, in particular when they conduct themselves as if they are Israeli spies," said the article.

"Does UNIFIL protect the south or Israel? And who protects them from al-Qaeda?"

The publication of the article follows new threats launched this week by al-Zawahiri, who called on Muslim mujahadeen to attack foreign 'crusaders' in Lebanon.

His comments were included in an audio message released on Tuesday on Islamic forums on the Internet.

"It is the second time that al-Zawahiri has threatened UNIFIL troops since they began their mission," the newspaper article said.

"Yet, these threats come at a time when the Lebanese secret services have verified the existence of links between salafite groups in Lebanon in the Ain al-Halwa camp and al-Qaeda in Iraq."

The newspaper also launched precise accusations against the UN mission, in particular linking the endorsement of the Security Council's 1701 resolution with "Israeli signatures" in many of its paragraphs.

It said while UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon speaks about the rearmament of Hezbollah and arms violations by Shia militias, he makes no reference to those conducted by the Israeli army along the border with Lebanon.

The UN's 1701 resolution, passed in August 2006, called for a full cessation of hostilities in the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah.

It also mapped out a formula for the phased withdrawal of Israel Defence Forces from southern Lebanon, while authorising UN peacekeepers to help Lebanese troops to take control. -AKI