LEBANON: TENSIONS MOUNT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HEZBOLLAH MILITANTS

Описание: (19 Oct 1995) Arabic/Nat

Rising tensions and violence in southern Lebanon between Israel and the militant Islamic group - Hezbollah - have led to a series of high-powered meetings in the region.

Nine Israeli soldiers have died in two recent Hezbollah bomb attacks.

The militant group has also been maintaining a high political profile - issuing its own television pictures of its leaders and members.

Hezbollah has released its own pictures of what it says are its fighters on patrol in south Lebanon.

The vice-secretary general of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naeem Kassem also visited southern Lebanon.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"We're here to check our brothers, the resisters, the Mujahedeen at the honor's front lines, I found the morale very high (Hezbollah fighters) in complete readiness to confront any aggression that might occur, we will defend our people, soil, dignity and honor."
SUPERCAPTION: Vice-secretary General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naeem Kassem

At the same time on Wednesday Hezbollah leader Sayed Hassan Nasrallah met senior Iranian officials, including Hejat Al-Islam Mojaherery in a Beirut suburb.

He is a special adviser on social affairs to Iran's President and Ambassador to Lebanon.

He saw the meeting as an opportunity to exchange views on the rising tensions with Israel in Southern Lebanon.

He told the Hezbollah leader he had nothing to fear with Iran behind it.

Also in Beirut, the Lebanese Cabinet met Wednesday to discuss the situation in Southern Lebanon.

The Minister of Information stressed the Lebanese right to defend its territory and condemned the U-S silence on the Israeli position.

The cabinet was also briefed on contacts made with the U-S in an attempt to defuse the rising tension in the south.

In the past - the United Nations has been caught between the warring factions in Lebanon.

But on Wednesday the UN in Lebanon was celebrating.

U-N troops based at Borj-Kalawey in the south of the country were marking the 50th anniversary of the organisation.

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