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| U.N. chief says Hezbollah
a threat to Middle East security NEW YORK - A report released Thursday by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says Hezbollah is a threat to security in the Middle East, and criticized Syria for allowing the Islamic militant group to smuggle weapons into its terrorist network in Lebanon, media reports said. The report, sent to the members of the U.N. Security Council that deals with Resolution 1559 of September 2004, drafted by U.N. Middle East envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, also called for both the Lebanese militant group and Israel to halt threats to each other. Ban's report pointed out that Hezbollah continues to maintain a militia separate from the Lebanese government that is "a direct challenge to the authority of the government of Lebanon." "Hezbollah's maintenance of a major armed component and a para-military infrastructure separate from the state, including a secure network of communication, which the group itself deems an integral part of its arsenal, is a direct challenge to the authority of the government of Lebanon and its security forces and prevents their exclusive control over the entire territory of Lebanon," said the report. He called on Hezbollah to comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions, and urged all parties with close ties with the organization and have the ability to influence it, in particular Syria and Iran, to support its transformation into a political party proper. However, Ban did not spare Israel in the report, which cited recent statements by Northern Command general Gadi Eisenkot that its defense forces would use "disproportionate force" if Hezbollah launches an offensive against the Jewish state. Commenting on the weapons smuggling from Syria to Lebanon, Ban said, "Preventing breaches of the arms embargo is a critical element for strengthening Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence. I remain concerned by the general porosity of the Syrian-Lebanese border." The U.N. secretary general also criticized Israel for its continued overflights over the Lebanese territory, which the Jewish nation states are necessary for security reasons. Since the end of the war, Hezbollah has gained political influence in Lebanon by winning the power to veto major government decisions. Syria also has gained influence through newly established diplomatic relations between Damascus and Beirut. -RTT |
