Hezbollah ruins Israeli drone contract

Israeli soldiers look at an IAI Eitan (Heron TP) surveillance 
drone at an air force Base near Tel Aviv, February 21, 2010
Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=138916&sectionid=351020203

Hezbollah's recent revelation in airing photos taken by Israel's unmanned surveillance planes has markedly affected the sale of the drones.

On August 9, Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah said the Lebanese resistance movement had intercepted Israeli drone transmissions and used the intelligence in a deadly attack on Israeli commandos in the Lebanese coastal village of Antsaria back in 1997.

Nasrallah also presented footage taken by Israeli drones of routes taken by Lebanon's slain Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri prior his assassination in February 2005, saying the video proved Israel's involvement in the murder.

Citing a report by Jane's Defense Weekly, al-Manar said the televised speech and the revelation has affected agreements between Tel Aviv and Moscow for purchasing Israeli surveillance drones.

Russian officials had reportedly launched talks with Israeli counterparts on a drone sale contract worth USD 300 million, but the Israeli side had to pull out of the negotiations due to security considerations.

Experts believe Hezbollah's interception of the intelligence collected by the drones will affect the willingness of other countries such as Brazil, India and Turkey to purchase the spy aircraft.

UN wants Hezbollah intel. on Hariri case

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=138342§ionid=351020203


The UN tribunal probing the murder of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri has called on Hezbollah to submit all information it has in a bid to assist the inquiry.

The request came after Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah presented new indications of Israeli involvement in the killing of Hariri in a massive car bomb explosion in 2005.

The evidence included footage from Israeli spy drones of routes used by Hariri and recorded confessions by Israeli spies substantiating that the assassination of Hariri was carried out on orders from Tel Aviv.

Nasrallah says the Lebanese Defense Ministry reports also show Israeli surveillance planes and warplanes flew over the area where Hariri was assassinated on the day of his murder.

"In line with its mandate, the Office of the Prosecutor has requested the Lebanese authorities to provide all the information in possession of (Hezbollah) Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah," the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon said in a statement on Wednesday.

"This request includes the video material that was shown on television during the press conference, as well any other material that would be of assistance to the Office of the Prosecutor in unveiling the truth," the statement added.

Chief prosecutor Daniel Bellemare has promised the court will assess the information thoroughly.

Lebanon hails Hezbollah revelations

Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah



Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=138103§ionid=351020203


Lebanese politicians have hailed evidence presented by Hezbollah leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah on Israel's involvement in the murder of late Premier Rafiq Hariri.

"There is valuable evidence and is worth taking it into consideration," leader of Lebanon's Free Patriotic Movement Michel Aoun told al-Manar TV, Naharnet news portal reported.

On Monday, Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah presented aerial reconnaissance footage of areas frequented by Hariri, including where he was assassinated in February 2005.

The popular resistance leader said this proved Israel was tracking Hariri's movements to assassinate him.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt said the evidence "opened the door wide on how the assassination took place."

The Druze leader called on the March 14 coalition to avoid entering into a standoff with other parties.

"We all want to know the truth but not in a way that would change its course and take the country to strife," he said.

"We have to remember that what led to this disaster was (Security Council) resolution 1559. In order for it to be implemented, it was imperative to kill Hariri," the Lebanese politician stated.

Naharnet cited an article in the Lebanese daily newspaper al-Akhbar on Tuesday, saying Israeli media stopped Nasrallah's live broadcast when al-Manar aired footage allegedly intercepted from Israeli surveillance planes of the Lebanese territory prior to Hariri's assassination.