Herve Morin: Israel Never Showed Us Evidence of Syrian Transfer of Scuds to Hizbullah

The Israeli army has refused numerous requests from France for evidence to back up claims that Syria last year transferred long-range Scud missiles to Hizbullah, former French defense minister Herve Morin told The Jerusalem Post.

Last April, Israeli officials said Damascus had transferred the Scuds to Hizbullah in Lebanon. A month later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi that the Shiite party was storing the missiles inside Syrian military bases.

“I asked a number of times to receive evidence to back up Israel’s claims,” said Morin. “They never presented proof, which raises question marks about the claims to begin with.”

He stressed the need to bolster the Lebanese army, which he said is a key player in ensuring that Lebanon remains an independent country.

In December, Israeli defense officials expressed concern with a French decision to transfer HOT anti-tank missiles to the Lebanese army.

The former defense minister told The Jerusalem Post that it was in Paris’ interest to see a strong Lebanese army and stability within Lebanon.

“Lebanon is an independent country and we need to strengthen the official government there to ensure it remains independent,” he said.