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PM: All military means acceptable to prevent Hezbollah controlling Lebanon By Barak Ravid Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned yesterday that if Lebanon came under Hezbollah's control, then Israel would not be restrained from using all military means at its disposal during a war. Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar Assad is scheduled to leave for Russia tomorrow for a two-day visit that has been described by analysts as important at a time when Moscow may be considering closer ties with the Arab world. The Syrian media has described Assad's visit to Moscow as "a working visit" to discuss closer ties in a variety of unspecified areas. Advertisement A number of reports in recent months have mentioned large arms deals between Russia and Syria, including advanced anti-aircraft missile systems. Russian and Syrian analysts have said that Israel's military assistance to Georgia has paved the way for a particularly successful visit for the Syrian president, whose country has taken a clear stance on the side of Moscow in the recent conflict in the Caucasus. "The significant military assistance provided by Israel to Georgia in its war against Russia will affect in the future - and probably in the near future - ties between Russia and Israel, and Russia's attitude toward Arab states. Russia will re-examine its ties with Israel, and it is not unlikely that Moscow will now decide to increase its military assistance to Arab countries in conflict with Israel, including Syria," a Russian analyst said in an interview to Syrian television. Russia has held up the transfer of certain weapons systems to Syria and Iran as a result of U.S. and Israeli pressure, but now there is hope in Damascus that the situation will change in their favor, and Russia will authorize the arms sales. Touring the Home Front Command yesterday, Olmert said that "during the Second Lebanon War we had much more massive means and capabilities that we avoided using, because we were fighting against a terrorist organization and not a state. If Lebanon becomes a Hezbollah state, then no such restrictions will apply." The prime minister's comments were made while discussing the decision of Lebanon's unity government two weeks ago to approve the right of Hezbollah to make use of all means in order to "liberate territory occupied by Israel." The prime minister also said that "Israel will not seek to conquer territory in order to hold it, and will focus on preventing the breaching of its borders and achieving as quick and decisive a victory as possible... We will have to bring about a quick victory, at a minimum cost." Olmert added that future wars will be different from those of the past, including the Second Lebanon War. "There will no longer be a situation in which war is conducted in a random field, away from large cities where life will go on as usual," Olmert said. The next war, Olmert said, "will also reach the cities and the homes of Israeli citizens, and the goal of our enemies will be to strike at the Home Front. To this end they are procuring equipment meant to strike at the population." Referring to public concerns regarding future threats to Israel, Olmert said that "the threats in our imagination are more imaginary than true." The premier praised the Home Front Command, saying that "in many respects this will be the first and most important command in any future war, and my impression is that there is a revolution going on here in outlook and progress in preparedness levels." During the tour the prime minister was briefed on the capabilities of the command, and the implementation of lessons from the Second Lebanon War. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Tears of joy Shahar Zubari's bronze medal was Israel's first of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 'Germ of corruption' Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeats his prediction that Israel will be wiped off the map.

Read & React Olmert: No restraint if Lebanon becomes Hezbollah state Responses: 194 Ex-Mossad chief: Ahmadinejad is Israel's greatest gift Responses: 58 Gaza women training as suicide bombers in case truce ends Responses: 132 Religious modesty guard 'enjoys support of rabbis and police' Responses: 62 More Headlines 23:05 PMO: Hezbollah plans to kidnap Israelis abroad 00:03 On eve of Assad visit to Moscow, Olmert, Medvedev discuss Mideast, Caucasus 22:08 Olmert to Zubari: Your Olympic win brings tears of joy to Israel 22:24 Ahmadinejad: Israel is a germ of corruption that will be removed 00:20 Rice: Russian reaction to U.S.-Polish missile shield agreement bizarre 19:31 Jordan acknowledges holding secret meetings with Hamas 12:39 Religious modesty guard 'enjoys support of rabbis and police' 22:54 West Galilee Hospital's newest donor is a 9-year-old boy 20:08 More than 140 people killed in Madrid plane crash 14:25 Hamas threatens to turn Shalit into 'second Ron Arad' 22:55 Anticipating truce breakdown, Gaza women training as suicide bombers 16:49 Seven-year-old falls off bicycle, dies of head injuries 14:19 Iraq to export oil to Lebanon, under series of upcoming trade deals 15:21 EU boosts aid to Palestinian Authority by an extra 40 million euros Previous Editions Select Day 20 aug 19 aug 18 aug 17 aug 15 aug 14 aug 13 aug 12 aug 11 aug 10 aug 08 aug 07 aug

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