Hezbollah: Scuds not Israel's business
Minister says group always arming itself, as it is only natural to want to defend Lebanon against Israel
A Hezbollah government minister is refusing to confirm or deny Israeli allegations that the militant Lebanese group has acquired Scud missiles.
Israeli defense officials have said they Syria has armed Hezbollah with Scud missiles capable of hitting targets anywhere in Israel.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Tuesday that Hezbollah's armament "undermines the balance of power and threatens regional stability and calm". Barak added that the military build-up in Lebanon "is a clear violation of Security Council resolutions."
President Shimon Peres earlier this week directly accused Damascus of providing the weapons, a charge Syria denied.
Syria's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it "believes that Israel aims through these claims to further strain the atmosphere in the region."
It added that Israel could be setting the stage for a possible "aggression in order to run away from the requirements of a just and comprehensive peace."
Haj Hassan also told Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV Friday that Israel possessed all kinds of weapons, including nuclear warheads.
He added that since Israel possessed all kinds of weapons, it's only natural for Lebanon to have the means to defend itself against an Israeli attack.
