Barak and the military operation against Lebanon

Israeli Radio on Tuesday quoted Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak as saying that the military operation carried out by the Israeli Army late Monday night against Lebanon aimed at addressing a message to Syria, Lebanon and the Hizbullah Party in that Israel will not accept the deterioration of conditions resulting from repeated Hizbullah violations of the April Understanding's provisions and that Israel has just tried to put an end to these violations and at the same time will not close the doors before political opportunities.

During an inspection visit to one of the Israeli shelters in the Israeli Kiryat Shemona settlement, Barak said this operation aims at conveying a clear message to the Lebanese government and to the Hizbullah and indirectly to Syria that Israel is not ready to accept the Hizbullah violations which unilaterally violate the April Understanding's provisions. Barak said that Israel has put at the top of its priorities the question of defending the Israelis, the soldiers of the Israeli Army and those who work with it.

Barak once again stressed that he will exert all possible efforts to withdraw the Israeli Army forces to the international borders in the framework of an agreement until next July. He said that he is determined to end the Lebanese crisis which has been continuing for many years.

He continued, "We are facing continued and organized violations of the April Understanding since 1996 by the Hizbullah Party, which opens fire against the Israeli forces from inside the Lebanese towns and villages and builds up their positions (Hizbullah forces) near the houses of Lebanese civilians.

Barak's statement was his first comment since the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon on Monday evening.