US deplores Hizbullah attacks, tension in South Lebanon

The state of tension continued on Monday between Israel and Hizbullah after the killing of three members of Hizbullah party and the wounding of more ten Israelis in fire exchange in Shabaa Farms border areas which is occupied by Israel.

Israeli helicopters flew intensively at low altitude over the areas of Tyre and the coastal road extended from the border al-Naqoura area until al-Zahrani area between Sidon and Tyre. One of the Israeli fighters dropped air-to-ground missiles at Tellat al-Labouna near al-Naqoura, where members of Hizbullah party are often deployed.

Lebanese anti-aircraft missiles intercepted the Israeli jets.

The US condemned the attack made by Hizbullah party against towns in Israel and called on Israel for self control in reacting to these attacks.

The spokesman for the US Department Of State, Sean McCormack said in a press conference in Washington that Israel has the right to retaliate the Hizbullah attacks, but called on the Israeli government to avoid reactions which lead to escalation.

The US spokesman said that Washington stressed to the Lebanese government the importance of controlling the situation in south Lebanon, noting that this attack shows the need for implementing UN Security Council resolution 1559 which calls for dismantling the weapons of the militias in Lebanon.