Wednesday 7 July 2010

'Lebanon May Witness Surge in Tensions in September'

06/07/2010 Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi claimed on Tuesday that Lebanon may witness a surge in tensions in September due to the report of the International Tribunal over the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.

Ashkenazi told the Knesset's foreign affairs and security committee that Israel is seeking to prevent the sailing of the Lebanese ship Mariam into the besieged Gaza strip, holding the Lebanese government responsible of any confrontation that might erupt.

Meanwhile, Ashkenazi claimed that military ties between the Zionist entity and Turkey remain strong. Revealing that he had spoken with his Turkish counterpart following Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla a month ago, Ashkenazi said that despite a near-collapse in government relations with Ankara, Israel's military alliance with Turkey was intact.

He said that he had held discussions with Turkish General Ilker Basbug following Israel's May 31 commando raid on a Turkish-flagged ship, which left nine activists nationals martyred.

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian

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