CTV: Lebanon warns against breaching UN-backed truce

Lebanon warns against breaching UN-backed truce

CTV.ca News Staff | August 20, 2006

Lebanese Defence Minister Elias Murr warned Sunday that anyone firing rockets at Israel will suffer punishment as a traitor, in an effort to maintain a fragile United Nations-backed truce.

"We consider that when the resistance (Hezbollah) is committed not to fire rockets, then any rocket that is fired from the Lebanese territory would be considered collaboration with Israel to provide a pretext (for Israel) to strike," said Murr during a press conference in Beirut.

He added that anyone attacking Israel will be arrested for violating the ceasefire and "be considered by the military tribunal as an agent of the Israeli enemy."

Murr's strong comments came just one day after Israel raided an apparent Hezbollah stronghold deep inside Lebanon -- an act that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called a violation of the truce.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev defended the military's actions by arguing it was within Israel's right to prevent Hezbollah from renewing its weapons and rocket supplies.

"In the situation where there was a flagrant violation of the embargo, Israel had the right to act," Regev told The Associated Press. "Had there not been a violation, Israel would not have to respond."

Despite concern by the UN over the raid, the United States has sided with Israel, arguing the Israeli military must protect itself from possible Hezbollah attacks until more UN peacekeeping troops arrive in the region to help maintain the ceasefire.

"We've seen the press reports and noted the Israeli statement saying that the operation was a reaction to arms smuggling," said White House spokesperson Emily Lawrimore.

Israeli forces launched the raid early Saturday morning in the town of Boudai. Residents said several people fought alongside about 15 Hezbollah guerrillas for 90 minutes, until the Israeli troops retreated.

One Israeli soldier died and two soldiers were wounded.

The UN ceasefire resolution calls for the deployment of about 30,000 soldiers to southern Lebanon to ensure a lasting truce. Half of those soldiers will come from the Lebanese army, and the other half will be an international contingent of UN peacekeepers.

The first UN troops arrived Saturday from France, with more expected throughout the week, to help 2,000 UN peacekeepers already in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday that Israel will not accept peacekeeping troops from nations who do not have diplomatic ties to his country.

That would include Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia, who have all offered to send soldiers for the expanded UN peacekeeping force.

But European countries with strong diplomatic relations with Israel have not been quick to send their own troops.

With files from The Associated Press