Israeli officials reaction to Aqel's assassination

Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens has called for halting negotiations with Syria.

In an interview with the Israeli Hebrew language radio on Monday, Arens said Syria controls Lebanon totally and that the Syrians are responsible for the killing of Gen. Aqel Hashem the deputy commander of the Israeli-allied South Lebanon Army militia.

He called on the Israeli government to strike Lebanon and attack its infrastructure.

He continued that the Israeli military attack and the bombardment of the Lebanese infrastructure which took place last summer were successful, urging to repeat these attacks against the Lebanese infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Israeli Minister of Tourism Amnon Shahak said that those who have control of Lebanon are the Hizbullah and the Iranians.

He added, "It is true that the Syrians do not do everything needed, yet negotiations on the Syrian- Israeli track should not be suspended," adding that launching a military attack against the Lebanese infrastructure would not solve the problem, nor halt the activities of the Hizbullah.