Hizbullah Calls For Readiness Ahead Of Israeli Drill

Saturday May 22, 2010 05:53 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Shaikh Nabil Al-Qaouq, representative of the Hizbullah party in southern Lebanon, stated that the fighters of the party will remain alert ahead of Israel’s large-scale military drill which is slated to begin this Sunday.

“The Hizbullah fighters have (been instructed) to be completely ready to confront Israeli maneuvers on Sunday. A few thousands of our fighters will not go to the polls (to participate in municipal elections in southern Lebanon) and are ready (for anything) today.", the Al-Manar news agency, run by Hizbullah reported.

Although Israeli leaders said that this drill was planned in advanced and not intended as a sign for an approaching war, Shaikh Al-Qaouq said that “should Israel decide to conduct a new aggression against Lebanon, the Israelis will have no place to hide”, Al-Manar said.

His statements came during his meeting with Professor Noam Chomsky, at Qaouq’s home in Tyre.

The Israeli occupation government denied Chomsky entry to the occupied Palestinian territories several days ago as he was trying to go to Ramallah.

Deputy Defense Ministry of the Israeli occupation government, Matan Vilani, said that the drill, dubbed Turning Point 4, is meant to ensure Israel’s Home Front Command is ready for a possible conflict,.

Vilnai added that Israel is preparing for the possibility that it will be attacked by hundreds of missiles from different countries.

The drill includes sounding the sirens in Israel and, air and ground drills. The drill will be conducted this coming Wednesday.

Israeli military and security officials said that they believe Hezbollah owns more than 40,000 rockets, and that its managed to develop its military capability after the second Lebanon war.

Hizbullah officials said that the party will retaliate to any Israel attack, and that the fighters will not allow Israel to violate Lebanon’s sovereignty .

Last month, President of the Israeli occupation government, Shimon Peres, accused Syria of transferring Scud missiles to Hizbullah. Both Syria and Hizbullah denied the Israeli claims.

Lebanon Uncovers 22 Spy Networks Working For Israel

Friday May 21, 2010 12:34 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

A senior Lebanese security source reported that the Lebanese security forces managed to uncover and dismantle 22 spy networks working for the Israeli occupation government.

The sources added that the security forces managed to uncover most of the spy networks working in the country, and that only a few are currently active but will be uncovered by the country and apprehended.

The arrests were the fruit of collaboration between the security services, the military intelligence and other government devices.

Lebanon said that it is determined to uncover all spy networks to make sure Israel has no spies working in the country.

Earlier this month, the Lebanese army officer was charged of spying for Israel and the military prosecutor demanded the death penalty.

The officer, Ghazwan Eid Shahin, became the third military officer to be indicted on charges of spying for Israel and “presenting information to enemy intelligence service.”

He will be tried at a military court and the court date is yet to be announced.

Dozens of Lebanese citizens have been arrested by the Lebanese security forces since January on 2009, some of them are retired army officials and policemen.

In February of this year, a Lebanese Internal Security Officer received the death sentence by a military court after he was convicted of collaboration with the “enemy”.