Lebanon ignores Israeli "ravings" over Hezbollah
BEIRUT (AFP)
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salukh dismissed as "ravings" on Thursday Israeli threats to target the country's civilian infrastructure if the government gives greater legitimacy to the Shiite militant group Hezbollah.
"Who says the government is giving legitimacy to Hezbollah? ... These are just ravings conjured up by the Israelis to tarnish Lebanon's image," Salukh told AFP.
"It's based on exaggerations by Mossad and the Israeli intelligence services."
A number of Israeli leaders have issued warnings to Lebanon in recent days after the formation of a national unity government in which the Hezbollah-led opposition has 11 ministries and the power of veto over cabinet decisions.
"The moment the Lebanese government confers legitimacy on Hezbollah, it must understand that the entire Lebanese state will be a target in the same way that all of Israel is a target for Hezbollah," Environment Minister Gideon Ezra said on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made similar remarks the previous day, warning that Israel would fight a far more devastating campaign than in the 2006 war if Hezbollah led the government.
"During the war in Lebanon we had a massive capacity that we refrained from using because we were fighting a terrorist organization and not a state, but if Lebanon becomes a Hezbollah state we will not be so restrained," he said.