Lebanon: Truce violators are traitors
Lebanese Defense Minister Elias al-Murr vows to be tough against any party that breaches ceasefire on Lebanese side of border; 'any rocket fired from Lebanon will benefit Israel,' he says
Lebanese Defense Minister Elias al-Murr said the Lebanese army will respond toughly to any party that violates a ceasefire in southern Lebanon.
In a news conference on Sunday Murr said: "The army will be very tough in dealing with such an issue. Any rocket fired from Lebanon will benefit Israel."
Murr said that any faction that violates the ceasefire will be dealt with as traitors.
He noted that Hizbullah is fully committed to the ceasefire as demanded by a United Nations Security Council resolution.
He said the Lebanese army is positioned along the border with Syria to crack down on any arms smuggling attempts.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Faouzi Sallouh said that Israel will likely continue to violate the ceasefire.
'Crime against humanity'
Speaking in Cairo after a meeting with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa Sallouh said: "Israel violate resolution 1701 yesterday and will do so again. This means that Israel cannot live in peace or preserve peace, stability and security."
Sallouh is in Cairo to take part in an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on Sunday inspected damage in Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hizbullah stronghold ravaged by Israeli air strikes.
"This is a crime against humanity committed by Israel here and in other areas of Lebanon," he said on a visit to Haret Hreik.
"What we see today is a reflection of the crimes committed by Israel. There is no other description for this but 'crime' which illustrates Israel's will to destroy Lebanon and its unity," he told reporters.
