Mofaz to Rice: Hizbullah controls South Lebanon
Source: Al-Manar, 29-04-2008
'Israeli' Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz told United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday that 'Israeli' officials are extremely concerned about Hizbullah's growing strength in south Lebanon.
Mofaz, who heads the 'Israeli' team for strategic talks with the US, met Rice ahead of the strategic dialogue to be held later with the participation of 15 senior 'Israeli' and American officials.
Hizbullah controls southern Lebanon and enjoys a "complete hold" over the area, Mofaz said, and added that the group doubled the number of long-range rockets it possesses. The 'Israeli' minister said that while in the past the group secretly transported weapons, these days it is done much more openly, thereby allowing Hizbullah to equip itself rapidly.
Mofaz warned that Hizbullah is preparing itself for the next war and said that Security Council Resolution 1701 that arranged the Lebanon ceasefire has been virtually emptied of all substance. "The presence of UNIFIL and Lebanese Army forces in southern Lebanon is insignificant and does not constitute an obstacle in the face of Hizbullah's strengthening," he said.
'LAND-FOR-PEACE WILL PUT IRAN IN GOLAN'
Concerning the occupied Golan Heights, Mofaz said that giving it back to Syria will mean bringing Iran there as well.
"You must have heard recent statements on the process with the Syrians," Mofaz told reporters, referring to unconfirmed reports that 'Israeli' Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently sent messages to Damascus indicating 'Israel' was willing to give up the Golan Heights in return for a peace treaty.
"I can only say one thing about that: Due to the fact that there is a strengthening of the radical axis, and Syria is a very central and dominant component of the radical axis, any handover of the Golan Heights to them means Iranians in the Golan Heights."
"We must take this under consideration, not as a statement that creates headlines, but as an issue that will become very tangible and real," he added. "Just as today the Iranians have a foothold in southern Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip, they will have one in the Golan Heights."
"This doesn't mean we shouldn't make peace with the Syrians in the future, it doesn't mean we shouldn't talk to the Syrians, but in this reality the Golan Heights is a strategic asset for 'Israel' and handing it over to the Syrians is tantamount to handing it to the Iranians."
'Israeli' Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz told United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday that 'Israeli' officials are extremely concerned about Hizbullah's growing strength in south Lebanon.
Mofaz, who heads the 'Israeli' team for strategic talks with the US, met Rice ahead of the strategic dialogue to be held later with the participation of 15 senior 'Israeli' and American officials.
Hizbullah controls southern Lebanon and enjoys a "complete hold" over the area, Mofaz said, and added that the group doubled the number of long-range rockets it possesses. The 'Israeli' minister said that while in the past the group secretly transported weapons, these days it is done much more openly, thereby allowing Hizbullah to equip itself rapidly.
Mofaz warned that Hizbullah is preparing itself for the next war and said that Security Council Resolution 1701 that arranged the Lebanon ceasefire has been virtually emptied of all substance. "The presence of UNIFIL and Lebanese Army forces in southern Lebanon is insignificant and does not constitute an obstacle in the face of Hizbullah's strengthening," he said.
'LAND-FOR-PEACE WILL PUT IRAN IN GOLAN'
Concerning the occupied Golan Heights, Mofaz said that giving it back to Syria will mean bringing Iran there as well.
"You must have heard recent statements on the process with the Syrians," Mofaz told reporters, referring to unconfirmed reports that 'Israeli' Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently sent messages to Damascus indicating 'Israel' was willing to give up the Golan Heights in return for a peace treaty.
"I can only say one thing about that: Due to the fact that there is a strengthening of the radical axis, and Syria is a very central and dominant component of the radical axis, any handover of the Golan Heights to them means Iranians in the Golan Heights."
"We must take this under consideration, not as a statement that creates headlines, but as an issue that will become very tangible and real," he added. "Just as today the Iranians have a foothold in southern Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip, they will have one in the Golan Heights."
"This doesn't mean we shouldn't make peace with the Syrians in the future, it doesn't mean we shouldn't talk to the Syrians, but in this reality the Golan Heights is a strategic asset for 'Israel' and handing it over to the Syrians is tantamount to handing it to the Iranians."
