August 24, 2006

OC Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin warned on Thursday that Iran was deeply involved in the Hizbullah's military training, financing and instruction.

Even though Iran has made no attempt to hide its involvement with Hizbullah, Yadlin pointed out that the guerrillas preferred using Syrian weapons and not Iranian ones.

"Most of the Katyushas - with the exception of the long-range ones - were from Syria's arsenal."

He told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee: "Iran is using Syria as a weapons storehouse for Hizbullah, through direct transfer or payment to Syrians, so that the weapons can be transferred to Hizbullah."

The intelligence head said that Hizbullah was continuing to arm itself and was working to rebuild its position in southern Lebanon using Iranian money.

Israel suspects that the Syrians are funneling ammunition to Hizbullah, and hopes that the multinational UN force will be able to monitor the border closely, Yadlin explained.

He said that Syria was satisfied with the way Hizbullah had operated, and encouraged the group to resist disarming.

Syria is working to increase its profile in the region and was disappointed that it was not included in the cease-fire agreement signed last week, according to Yadlin.

Assad "emphasized his adherence to peace as a strategic choice, but claimed there were a few ways to achieve it - one of which is by resistance," he said.

Yadlin warned that "the Syrians are insolent and will try to regain the Golan Heights, through military or diplomatic methods."

Yadlin added that the Syrian army had returned to its normal alert level after having raised it during the IDF-Hizbullah fighting in Lebanon.