UN chief warns of fresh Middle East war

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=133163§ionid=351020203



UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned that a fresh conflict could erupt in the Middle East, following an increase in tensions between Israel and Lebanon.

In a report to the UN Security Council on Friday, Ban said the mounting tensions "raised the specter of a miscalculation by either party leading to a resumption of hostilities, with potentially devastating consequences."

The UN chief went on to accuse both sides of violating the 2006 cease-fire resolution that ended the 33-day war between Israel and the Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah.

Israel continues to defy international law by conducting daily military flights over Lebanon and by refusing to withdraw from the disputed northern border village of Ghajar, the UN chief said.

He also expressed concern about Israel accusing neighboring Syria of having provided Scud missiles to Lebanon's Hezbollah, saying it has "resulted in increased tension" in the region.

The Israeli accusations were leveled against Syria as both governments in Damascus and Beirut have categorically denied the missile transfer allegation.

The secretary general also voiced concern over the recent scuffles between Lebanese civilians and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The confrontation came after UNIFIL staged a controversial maneuver at the beginning of July, which raised public ire in southern Lebanon.

The unilateral drill, which was reportedly aimed at protecting Israel from possible missile attacks from southern Lebanon, was stopped amidst civilian protests.

The Lebanese people have denounced the move as out of ordinary and not in accordance with the mandate of the UNIFIL. They have also blamed the peacekeepers for their inaction toward the almost daily violation of the UN-drawn Blue Line by Israeli forces.

US, Israeli warships move to PG: Report

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=131181§ionid=351020205



An armada of more than twelve US and Israeli warships has passed through the Suez Canal toward the Red Sea and is reportedly heading to the Persian Gulf.

Egypt allowed the vessels to pass through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea Friday, UPI reported on Saturday.

The final destination of the fleet, which also includes an aircraft carrier, is not yet known; but some say it may be heading towards the Persian Gulf.

Special security measures were implemented by the Egyptian authorities for the safe passage of what is believed to be the largest US armada to pass through the canal in years.

All commercial and civilian traffic through the Suez Canal was halted and beefed-up security forces posted along both sides of the waterway.

The fleet is led by the aircraft carrier, the USS Harry Truman and its strike group of 60 fighter-bombers and 6,000 seamen and marines, Debka File reported from its military sources.

Meanwhile, Jeff Steinberg from the Executive Intelligence Review in Washington told Press TV that the US Defense Department had confirmed the report. He further added that the move should be closely watched.

Egyptian opposition parties have criticized the government for allowing the passage at a time when tension is high in the Middle East over the recent Israeli attack on the Gaza-bound aid convoy.

On May 31, Israeli forces attacked the flotilla, killing nine activists on board. The attack was condemned by the international community and prompted global protests.

Assad warns of new war in Mideast

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130886§ionid=351020206



Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has warned that Israel's deadly attack on a Gaza-bound flotilla has increased the chances of a new war in the Middle East.

The decision of the "pyromaniac government" of Israel to attack the flotilla ruined the prospects for peace in the region, Assad told the BBC on Thursday.

Asked if the Israeli attack on the six-ship aid convoy had increased the chance of war in the Middle East, Assad said: "Definitely, definitely."

"When you don't have peace, you have to expect war every day, and this is very dangerous," he said.

"It [the attack] proved that this [Netanyahu's] government is another pyromaniac government, and you cannot achieve peace with such [a] government," the Syrian president said.

Asked about Syria's new business relations with the US, he expressed happiness with the development.

Assad, however, stressed that Iran will remain his country's ally, despite Washington's promise to lift its 5-year sanctions against Syria if it ended its ties with Iran.

Israeli forces on May 31 attacked the multinational Freedom Flotilla relief mission, which had set sail to break Tel Aviv's siege of the Gaza Strip. The assault in international waters left at least 20 human rights campaigners dead and over 40 other injured.

Lebanon, Egypt condemn Israeli threat

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130933§ionid=351020203



The Lebanese and Egyptian premiers have condemned a new Israeli threat against Beirut, saying it "might have dire consequences” for Tel Aviv.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Nazif took the stance after Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned the Beirut government against allowing an aid ship to depart Lebanon for the besieged Gaza Strip.

"The Israeli government continues to threaten Lebanon," Hariri said at a news briefing with the visiting Nazif in Beirut on Thursday.

Last week a group of female Lebanese activists announced a plan to send an aid ship loaded with medical supplies to Gaza.

The organizers of the aid convoy say 50 Lebanese and foreign activists would be aboard the ship.

"There are fleets coming from Europe," said Hariri, asking that "will the Israeli defense minister attack Europe or other countries sending aid to Gaza?"

"Enough lies ... Israel's actions are not humanitarian and rejected by all human rights treaties," AFP quoted the Lebanese prime minister as saying.

Israeli forces on May 31 attacked the multinational Freedom Flotilla relief mission, which had set sail to break Tel Aviv's siege of the Gaza Strip. The assault in international waters left at least 20 human rights campaigners dead and over 40 other injured.

Nazif, for his part, warned Israel against consequences of a similar assault on the women activists' aid ship.

The Egyptian premier said that an Israeli attack on the ship "might have dire consequences as we saw with the Turkish Freedom flotilla."

"The region is facing a crossroads between the will for peace, which all Arab states voice and the international community supports, and Israel's reluctance and intransigence," Nazif said.

The attack on the Freedom Flotilla has provoked ferocious international condemnation of Israel.

Israel warns Lebanon over Gaza aid

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130926§ionid=351020203



A senior Israeli military official has warned the Beirut government against allowing an aid ship to depart Lebanon for the besieged Gaza Strip.

"I say clearly to the government of Lebanon: You are responsible for the sea vessels leaving your ports with a clear and known intention of trying to break the naval blockade on Gaza,” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Thursday.

The warning came days after a group of female Lebanese activists announced a plan to send an aid ship loaded with medical supplies to Gaza.

Israel said that its navy would not allow the boat to reach Gaza.

“The Lebanese government has responsibility for such vessels leaving its ports ... as their cargo that could result later in a violent and dangerous clash if the ship refuses to come to Ashdod (port)," Barak said.

The organizers of the aid convoy say 50 Lebanese and foreign activists would be aboard the ship.

“We are all independent women who believe in breaking the siege on Gaza,” said Samar Hajj, who is coordinating the trip.

Israeli forces on May 31 attacked the multinational Freedom Flotilla relief mission, which had set sail to break Tel Aviv's siege of the Gaza Strip. The assault in international waters left at least 20 human rights campaigners dead and over 40 other injured.

The attack on the Freedom Flotilla has provoked ferocious international condemnation of Israel.

IRGC mobilizes forces along borders

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130682§ionid=351020101



A senior Iranian commander says the presence of American and Israeli forces along the western borders of Iran has prompted the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC) to mobilize its troops in the area.

Brigadier-General Mehdi Moini, who is the commander of IRGC in West Azarbaijan Province, told reporters on Tuesday that certain Western countries sought to overstate the issue of ethnic conflict in the region.

"Through magnifying the ethnic, religious strife in the region and inciting terrorist groups, they seek to destabilize our province," Brig. Gen. Moini said.

The official, however, explained that the strong presence of IRGC forces in the region has thwarted all enemy attempts to destabilize the western Iranian province.

"The presence of US and Israeli forces along Iranian borders is the reason behind Iran's military movements in the region," he said.

The IRGC commander went on to explain that while the enemy has suffered much damage in the course of such movements, no Iranian base has suffered damages.

West Azarbaijan Province is located in northwest Iran. It shares a 900-kilometer (560-mile) border with Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Chomsky slams Israel 'madness'

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=128244§ionid=351020202



Renowned Jewish-American scholar Noam Chomsky has warned of a madness-charged Israeli war on Lebanon, amid Tel Aviv's recurrent threats against the country.

Tel Aviv could turn aggressive out of the "mentality of madness" which characterizes many across Israel, Chomsky said on Thursday, Ynet reported.

Suffering from a persecution complex, Israel could launch a war anytime it feels it is being cornered, he added.

The 81-year-old senior academic made the remarks during a meeting with leading Lebanese cleric Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah. The meeting came after Israeli officials prevented Chomsky from visiting the occupied Palestinian territories over his anti-Israeli stance.

Israel initiated offensives against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006 and was heavily defeated by the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah.

The regime recently initiated a number of military escalations near the Lebanese border after accusing Syria of supplying Hezbollah with Russian-made Scud missiles. Subsequently, Israeli staged military drills near the border, prompting Hezbollah to place its fighters on alert.

Fadlallah, for his part, said that Israel's irrational attitude would not push the regime into renewing its attacks. The "opposition's" resources of experience, potential, combat readiness and strategic plans can deter Tel Aviv from risking another war, he added.

The cleric also said that the main problem was the policies adopted by the United States which, he said, did not honor humanity.