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Four Additional Missiles Discovered on Launch Pads in Lebanon
The Lebanese army together with UNIFIL spotted four short-range Katyusha missiles this morning in Lebanon, near the border with Israel. The rockets were hidden inside a building, standing ready to be launched on their launch pads. Siniora condemned the launching of the Katyusha on Tuesday.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora condemned the launching of a Katyusha last night (Tuesday) on the northern border - but also the “belligerent response of the State of Israel,” according to his description. Siniora promised that his government will do the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of such acts and will not allow Lebanon to be dragged into the circle of tension in the region.
UN Middle East envoy, Terje Larsen, spoke out yesterday and said that Hezbollah is still holding a massive arms cache. In a closed meeting of the Security Council held yesterday Larsen added that “it's time that the organization disarm and become a purely political organization.” According to him, the arsenal endangers the Lebanese government and is directly challenging its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, security officials warn that the rate of smuggling weapons to Hezbollah has reached the highest level since the second Lebanon war. Apparently, the ammunition is transferred through the porous border between Syria and the south of the country. Furthermore, the defense ministry estimated that the Katyusha fire last night was done in a specific incident that will not lead to a steep escalation on the border with Lebanon.