Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., May 16, 2008 Iyyar 11, 5768 | | Israel Time: 21:26 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Druze leader Walid Jumblatt. (AP) Last update - 19:07 07/04/2007 Lebanese official: Security agents helped Hezbollah smuggle arms By Shlomo Shamir, Haaretz Correspondent A senior Lebanese anti-Syrian politician alleged on Saturday that Lebanese security agents were involved in helping Hezbollah guerrillas smuggle in weapons across the country's porous border with Syria. Druse leader Walid Jumblatt told the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera satellite television channel that there is complicity between Hezbollah and some Lebanese security agents on the border who are allowing trucks to pass without being searched. "Nobody knows what's inside these trucks," Jumblatt said without elaborating. Advertisement Jumblatt, a legislator and key government supporter, also said in the interview that he believes the Lebanese army should enter Hezbollah training camps along the Syrian-Lebanese boundary. The existence of such camps has never been confirmed by the Hezbollah or Lebanese security officials. Also, such a crackdown against the Hezbollah would spark a major upheaval. The Lebanese army has so far been refused to be drawn into a conflict with the guerrillas and has taken a neutral stand in the political crisis between government and the Hezbollah-led opposition. The army has said it will not move against either side, but also that it would not allow the dispute to degenerate into street violence, as was the case in December and January, when clashes took on a sectarian tone. Nine people were killed in the violence. At the time, the army came out onto the streets and briefly imposed a rare nighttime curfew. Jumblatt's comments came a day after France circulated a draft UN Security Council statement expressing serious concern at mounting reports of illegal arms transfers across the Lebanon-Syria border and authorizing an independent mission to assess how the frontier is being guarded. The draft, sent to Security Council members late Thursday, welcomes the Lebanese government's determination to prevent transfers of weapons - banned under a UN resolution that ended last summer's war between Hezbollah and Israel. It also urges all countries, especially Hezbollah backers Syria and Iran, to enforce the arms embargo. There is a state within a state, Jumblatt said of Lebanon in the interview. There is a Hezbollah army alongside the Lebanese army. There is Hezbollah intelligence alongside Lebanese (army) intelligence and there are Lebanese territories that the army is prohibited from entering. The Lebanese army should have ... entered the areas between Lebanon and Syria that are off-limits, he added. Jumblatt, a one-time ally of Hezbollah, turned against the group last year and has been among the most ardent callers for disarming it. Mahmoud Komati, the deputy leader of Hezbollah's political bureau, promptly denied Jumblatt's allegations, telling Al-Jazeera that all these accusations are part of the conspiracy against the resistance. The Hezbollah-led opposition in Lebanon has been locked in a bitter struggle with the U.S-backed government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. Despite his anti-Syrian stance, Saniora recently conceded that not one single case of arms smuggling across the border with Syria has been recorded. The opposition has been staging protests and an open ended sit-in since Dec. 1 to try and force Saniora to resign after he rejected its call for a national unity government that would give it a veto-wielding share in Cabinet U.S., U.K., France pushing for UN cmte. to examine Lebanon arms smuggling The United States, Great Britain, and France are pushing for the formation of a special United Nations expert committee to examine claims of ongoing weapons smuggling through the Syria-Lebanon border. The initiative is part of a draft presidential statement that has already been circulated among UN Security Council members, and will be discussed beginning Monday. According to sources at the UN headquarters, the initiative includes a proposal for the committee to tour the Syrian-Lebanon border. The committee will be asked to make recommendations regarding how to effectively prevent the arms smuggling. Presidential statements, made by country holding the Security Council's rotating presidency, must be agreed upon by all 15 Security Council members. During April, the presidency will be held by Britain's ambassador Sir Emyr Jones-Parry. The initiative was formed following a Wednesday briefing by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to the Security Council, in which he summarized his recent visit to the Middle East as well as his meetings with regional leaders/ According to UN sources in New York, Ban warned unequivocally against the ongoing arms smuggling during the closed-doors session. Ban said that he "received information from Israel and other countries" that included evidence of arms smuggling from Syria and Iran to Hezbollah. Ban added that the "arms smuggling is a blatant violation of Security Council Resolutions 1701 and 1747." The former resolution served as the basis for the cease-fire that ended the Second Lebanon War, while the latter resolution imposed sanctions on Iran. The sources said they believe the draft will be met with reservations from Russia and China, which object to the Security Council taking steps against Syria and Iran. Russia also objected to the Security Council statement condemning Iran for abducting the 15 British sailors and marines Bookmark to del.icio.us   Animated massacre Animated Israeli film at Cannes explores Sabra and Shatila massacre. Kowtowing to funders When papers are sponsored, can their reporting be truly independent?   1.   Russia and China 20:31  |  Nathan 06/04/07   2.   I don`t understand why they did not use Ch. 7 to disarm Hezballah 21:27  |  Anonymous 06/04/07   3.   I thought Assad was interested in peace? 21:31  |  Sherman 06/04/07   4.   ARMS SMUGLING 21:42  |  LES 06/04/07   5.   Do whatever you like........ 21:51  |  Levy 06/04/07   6.   #3, no peace with Israel 21:59  |  zion is terror 06/04/07   7.   The problem in the ME is not Hizbullah, it 22:07  |  American living here 06/04/07   8.   Israel should be abolished for peace 22:13  |  Natan 06/04/07   9.   Dreams that will never be #5 22:58  |  Earle 06/04/07   10.   of course russia, china will say no self interrest to weaken 23:14  |  ralph 06/04/07   11.   u.s uk.france 23:14  |  zionist 06/04/07   12.   To #2: The use of ch 7 against Hizb 00:14  |  A Lebanese 07/04/07   13.   ALL must Rise and Demonstrate... 00:45  |  Cheryl 07/04/07   14.   U$A Tax Dollars pay for Israel`s Weapons... 01:01  |  Maureen Ann 07/04/07   15.   UN IS A JOKE 01:13  |  TOBIA 07/04/07   16.   First examine Israel`s use of chemical weapons 01:42  |  Mike 07/04/07   17.   russia and china 03:14  |  shane ali 07/04/07   18.   NOT ABOUT LAND#6 03:51  |  TOBIA 07/04/07   19.   U$A Tax Dollars pay for Israel`s weapons... 03:59  |  Maureen Ann 07/04/07   20.   WHO SAID HEZBOLLAH REPRESENT THE SHIITS!!!! 04:12  |  A LEBANESE SHIITE 07/04/07   21.   #16 mike 10:33  |  Oddvark 07/04/07   22.   Maureen Ann ...okay? 10:52  |  Oddvark 07/04/07   23.   to 20 joke?????? 11:04  |  a christian from leb 07/04/07   24.   Russia and China at the UN 11:13  |  Valerie Fisher 07/04/07   25.   Disarm you must be joking ..first find the weapons 13:15  |  Samir Salameh 07/04/07   26.   Tonight I watch Charleton Heston part the Red Sea 15:12  |  Anonymous 07/04/07   27.   What chance do we have 16:30  |  Carl 07/04/07   28.   # 21 oddvark 17:06  |  Mike 07/04/07   29.   ISRAEL DEFENCE FORCE 17:34  |  eyes 07/04/07   30.   Lebanese government determination to prevent transfers of weapons 19:31  |  Dan 07/04/07   31.   Hezbo promptly denied Jumblatts allegations 19:51  |  Dan 07/04/07   32.   Of course they will help Hez. as Sinora "pro Western" 20:02  |  dzone 07/04/07   33.   TRAITOR 20:31  |  JACKAL 07/04/07   34.   #23 to "Christian" Lebanese 20:48  |  observer 07/04/07   35.   LEBANON`S PROBLEM: ALLIANCES OF CONVENIENCE 21:42  |  Arik Silverman 07/04/07   36.   I wonder why! 21:44  |  Yonatan 07/04/07   37.   #8 Natan - I didn`t know 21:46  |  Yonatan 07/04/07   38.   Lebanese official: Security agents helped Hezbollah smuggle ar 22:17  |  Galvin Templar 07/04/07   39.   watch out...Anti-Syrian politicans don`t fare well there 22:41  |  Ryan 07/04/07   40.   OH NO MIKE! CHEMICALS!!! 23:52  |  Oddvark 07/04/07   41.   SINCE WHEN JUMBLAT BECAME AN `OFFICIAL` ? 00:01  |  JACKAL 08/04/07   42.   #7 Another "American" 01:08  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/07   43.   When the cancer controls the patient 01:10  |  ScotGuy 08/04/07   44.   #14 Maureen Ann - there you go again 01:14  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/07   45.   #40 Jackal - you really have to check 01:16  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/07   46.   #16 Mike - Chemical weapons 01:32  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/07   47.   #19 Maureen Ann 01:41  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/07   48.   # 12 Shiites are NOT the majority 01:52  |  Lynn 08/04/07   49.   #20 Lebanese shiite 01:56  |  Lynn 08/04/07   50.   #14 Maureen Ann 02:12  |  Lynn 08/04/07   51.   # 6 Stay out of others countries 02:14  |  Lynn 08/04/07   52.   # 26 Anonymous in Chicago 02:18  |  Lynn 08/04/07   53.   # 40 Walid Jumblatt 02:22  |  Lynn 08/04/07   54.   # 33 Jumblatt the hero 02:25  |  Lynn 08/04/07   55.   #30, Don`t bet on it 02:27  |  Counter Argument 08/04/07   56.   # 41 BEN JABO 02:32  |  Lynn 08/04/07   57.   Walid is looking old 02:42  |  Mark Lincoln 08/04/07   58.   Hezbollah is the worse thing for the Lebanese 02:55  |  Bill 08/04/07   59.   Funny guy... arn`t you ? #38 05:43  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   60.   #56 Lynn - Burka on American women? 05:44  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/07   61.   #38 05:45  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   62.   UN is a JOKE 05:59  |  KaPO 08/04/07   63.   ARABS: We`re all the same...dear Lynn... 06:10  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   64.   Hmmm Lets SEE, Syria sends weapons to 06:15  |  Cheryl 08/04/07   65.   WHO IS JUMBLATT 06:17  |  LEASH 08/04/07   66.   YES YOU ARE RIGHT LYNN.........(not) 06:17  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   67.   BILL.... 06:19  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   68.   LYNN.. IF SHIITES.... 06:26  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   69.   YO ANNONYMOUS FROM CHICAGO!! 06:35  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   70.   TREASON... LEBANESE CONSTITUTION 06:38  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   71.   why Hesbollah smuggle weapons? 07:06  |  arab 08/04/07   72.   MAYDAY MAYDAY... 07:15  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   73.   LEASH YOU DON"T WANT TO KNOW... 07:16  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   74.   Burka... 07:23  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   75.   hmm they didnt posts one of my things... 07:28  |  Ahmad031 08/04/07   76.   #BEN JABO Not all children in Israel are Jews. 09:19  |  Maureen Ann 08/04/07   77.   Ahmad031 09:32  |  Cheryl 08/04/07   78.   You know, WE all can learn from Antioch,TR. 09:42  |  Cheryl 08/04/07   79.   #76 Maureen Ann 18:30  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/07   80.   #76-2 Maureen Ann - "FACTS" about 2006 War 18:36  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/07   81.   #65 Leash 18:38  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/07   82.   #76-2 Maureen Ann 02:24  |  * BEN JABO 09/04/07   83.   To Sherman - Assad wants the Golan back - doesn`t care for peace 06:42  |  Mike 09/04/07   84.   peace 20:59  |  lebanese citizen 16/05/08

Read & React Israel protests UN chief Ban Ki-Moon's use of term 'nakba' Responses: 224 PMO: U.S., Israel see need for 'tangible action' on Iran nukes Responses: 77 Shmuel Rosner: Bush, Obama and the 'appeasement' jibe Responses: 53 Bin Laden vows to 'fight' Israel for Palestinian land Responses: 90 Sultan al-Qassemi: Arab Jews should be welcomed back in their ancestral homes Responses: 66 Rosner's Domain Bush should be measured by the yardstick he prescribed to Obama The greatest achievement and failure of the Jewish people Is Obama a Carter or a Chomsky? (WTR) Poll: Was Bush attacking Obama? Does McCain wants to talk to Hamas? (WTR) More Headlines 13:20 Bin Laden vows to 'fight' Israel for Palestinian land 16:02 Kadima MKs gather to discuss Olmert investigation 21:16 The enemies within 13:10 PMO: U.S., Israel see need for 'tangible action' on Iran nukes 17:09 New York Muslim leader forges close ties with city's Jews 21:12 Green giant 09:07 Was Bush's Knesset speech a swipe at Obama? 14:09 Hamas: Inclusion of Shalit in truce deal must be on our terms 18:20 ANALYSIS: Who wants to stop Iran? 14:49 'Elitist' leadership alienating U.S. Jews, says prominent sociologist 02:35 Israel protests UN chief Ban Ki-Moon's use of term 'nakba' 13:44 Einstein letter dismissing 'childish' religion sells for 200,000 pounds Previous Editions Select Day 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved