Gates: Hizbullah More Armed than Most Governments

Despite the declaration of two US officials said last week there were "no indications" any Scud rockets were transported into Lebanon, the US War Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday that Syria and Iran are providing Hizbullah with rockets and missiles of ever-increasing capability, in a clear hint to Scud missiles.

Following a meeting with "Israeli" War Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday, Gates stated that Hizbullah was at a point where it "has far more rockets and missiles than most governments in the world."

The two officials did not specify the types of missiles, but held many connotations due to the fact that the US has been in an uproar over the past few days over so-called reports that Hizbullah has received Scud missiles capable of hitting areas in the south of occupied Palestine.

Barak claimed that Syria was providing Hizbullah with the ineffective weapon systems which "could change the delicate balance in Lebanon", adding that "Israel" is closely watching developments.