War in the Middle East

Israel says Hezbollah has 30,000 rockets

UNITED NATIONS - Israel has said Hezbollah is rearming and has an arsenal that includes 10,000 long-range rockets and 20,000 short-range rockets in southern Lebanon, according to a report from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Ban's report to the Security Council, obtained by The Associated Press on Monday, did not confirm Israel's claim. But the U.N. chief reiterated his concern about Hezbollah's public statements and persistent reports pointing to breaches of a U.N. arms embargo, which bans weapons transfers to the militant Islamic group.

Ban also expressed concern at "the threats of open war against Israel" by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah has accused Israel of trying to start a new war by assassinating a top Hezbollah commander and warned it would be a battle the Jewish state would lose. Israel has denied involvement in the Feb. 12 car bombing in Syria that killed Imad Mughniyeh.

Read More...

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1