Israel Has 'No Intention' to Start New War against Lebanon
Firebrand Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced Monday that Israel has “no intention” of starting a new war against Lebanon.
"As minister of defense, I would like to clarify that we have no intention of starting a new war against our neighbors in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, Lebanon or Syria," Lieberman told the Jerusalem-based Palestinian newspaper al-Quds.
Lieberman is part of what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israeli history.
A devastating 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah killed about 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and about 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Israeli airstrikes heavily damaged Lebanon's infrastructure, while Hizbullah fired several thousand rockets into Israel.
Israeli officials say Hizbullah's improved missile arsenal is now capable of striking virtually anywhere in Israel.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet, Associated Press
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