Tuesday, January 23, 2007

MENL: "Hizbullah Uses Allies to Store Rockets"

And, of course, Iran is using Hizbullah:
In an effort to conceal its military build-up, Hizbullah has been using allies to store thousands of rockets delivered by Iran and Syria.

Western diplomatic sources said Hizbullah's allies have been accepting shipments of short-range rockets for storage in southern Lebanon. The sources said the lion's share of weapons shipments from neighboring Syria reach their destination despite efforts by the Lebanese Army and United Nations peace-keepers.

"Hizbullah has a huge support network in the south, so smuggling is not a big deal," a diplomat said. "The Lebanese Army has also been cautious in dealing with suspected arsenals."

On Jan. 19, the Lebanese Army seized 75 BM-21 Grad rockets from a Hizbullah ally, identified as Al Jamaa Al Islamiyya. Al Jamaa confirmed the seizure from the village of Biri and demanded the return of the weapons.

Biri is in the Rashaya area in southwestern Lebanon. The owner of the home where the rockets were found was arrested.
Also from MENL: "GCC Would Support U.S. Strike on Iran":
Gulf Cooperation Council states would support a U.S. strike to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons program.

A report by the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center asserted that the six Gulf Arab states would not tolerate a nuclear Iran. The report said the GCC regards Iran as a bully that seeks to dominate the region.

"Teheran has to finally realize that if push comes to shove, if the choice is between an Iranian nuclear bomb and a U.S. military strike, then the Arab Gulf states have no choice but to quietly support the U.S.," the report, authored by international studies director Christian Koch, said.

GRC, which on Tuesday held a roundtable that included U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns, said Iran has rejection [rejected?] negotiations with the Gulf Arab states. The report cited Iran's military buildup in the Gulf and its refusal to negotiate the seizure of two islets from the United Arab Emirates.

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