US: Syrian planes bomb Lebanon
US official confirms that Syrian warplanes bombed northern Lebanon. 'Constitutes a significant escalation in violations of Lebanese sovereignty'
A top US official confirmed Monday that Syrian warplanes bombed northern Lebanon. The official denounced the move as "a significant escalation" of the conflict.
"We can confirm... that regime jets and helicopters did fire rockets into northern Lebanon, impacting Wadi al-Khayl, near the border town of Arsal," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters.
Related stories:
- Israel will seek US air strikes to thwart Hezbollah missile transfer
- CIA monitors potential terrorists in Syria
- Kerry: US committed to helping Syrian rebels
"This constitutes a significant escalation in the violations of Lebanese sovereignty that the Syrian regime has been guilty of. These kinds of violations of sovereignty are absolutely unacceptable."
Fuel truck set alight to prevent Syria transfer (Photo: AFP)
She reminded Damascus that UN resolutions called for the strict respect of the sovereignty and territory of Lebanon.
Lebanon has publicly committed itself to staying neutral in the violence engulfing Syria, but the conflict has already exacerbated tensions and there are growing fears it could spill over into the country.
US ambassador to Lebanon, Maura Connelly, has been in contact with the Lebanese government, Ms Nuland added.
A high-ranking Lebanese army official said four missiles had been fired by Syrian warplanes in a mountainous, desert area, which observers say is ideal for the smuggling of arms and the flow of fighters across the border.
Roi Kais contributed to the report
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
