Peres: Hezbollah rendering Lebanon explosive
(Video) President says explosion in Hezbollah ammunition storehouse proves group is endangering Lebanon, meanwhile Lebanese army says blast was caused by rogue shell, wounded one
"Yesterday an ammunition storehouse exploded in Tyre," he said. "In my opinion, Hezbollah has turned Lebanon into a barrel of explosives. It's not Israel which is endangering Lebanon but rather Hezbollah, just as Hamas is endangering the Palestinians," said Peres.
There were conflicting reports about Monday's blast in Tayr Filsay village near the southern port city of Tyre, including a report that one person was killed.
But the Lebanese army and Hezbollah both announced Tuesday that the explosion took place in a Hezbollah member's garage and was caused by an exploding shell that merely wounded one person.
Peres stressed that there was no reason why there couldn't be peace between Israel and Lebanon. "It could be, with the help this peace, the Switzerland of the Middle East. But it's clear to everyone who is preventing this," he said.
Switching to the Palestinian issue Peres said change was evident in the West Bank, under Palestinian Authority rule, when compared with Gaza. "Here it is also clear who is preventing this – Hamas," he said.
But he promised the organization's defeat. "I can promise that in matters of security, as in other matters, Israel will come out on top," he encouraged.
Peres also commended the new medical school being built in Safed. "The Galilee needs good doctors and the promotion of medical facilities in the area," he said.
