WASHINGTON (AFP)
Syria is providing a "wider array" of missiles to Hezbollah, a U.S. diplomat said Friday, while stopping short of accusing Damascus of supplying Scuds to the Lebanese Shiite militia.
"We are concerned with the broadening nature of cooperation between Syria and Hezbollah. They are providing a wider array of missiles to Hezbollah," a senior State Department official said on condition of anonymity.
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" We are concerned with the broadening nature of cooperation between Syria and Hezbollah. They are providing a wider array of missiles to Hezbollah "
A senior State Department official
A Washington-based correspondent for Kuwaiti newspaper al-Rai first reports the delivery of the long-range Scud missiles, adding that Israel had urged the United States to foil the perceived threat or see Israel "take steps" unilaterally.
Asked about the report, Israeli President Shimon Peres tells journalists: "Syria continues its doublespeak -- on the one hand it speaks about peace and on the other hand it passes sophisticated Scud missiles to Hezbollah that threaten Israel ... We will not allow Syria to play this double game." The Israeli government offers no statements to corroborate the charges by Peres, whose post is largely ceremonial. The official silence holds.
Syria's Foreign Ministry reacted accusing Israel of disseminating "fabrications" about Scud transfers to Hezbollah in order "to create an atmosphere for probable Israeli aggression" against Syria.
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