UK airport flies US bombs to Israel - Daily Telegraph

Britain is being used as a staging post for major shipments of bunker-busting bombs from the United States to Israel, it was reported today.

According to the Daily Telegraph, two chartered Airbus A310 cargo planes filled with 5,000lb GBU 28 laser-guided bombs landed at Prestwick airport, near Glasgow, for refueling and crew rests after flying across the Atlantic at the weekend.

The disclosure has led to criticism from the Liberal Democrats over the British government's agreement to allow the US flights to use Scottish airport, which has also been named in the controversy over its use for CIA rendition flights carrying terrorist suspects.

"In light of disproportionate military attacks, the Government should take steps to suspend all arms transfers to Israel, whether directly from or through the UK," said Lib Dem's shadow foreign secretary Michael Moore.

Sections of the British press have also highlighted the contradictions in US policy in speeding up arms exports to Israel at the same time as seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to the victims of their bombs and missiles being dropped on Lebanon.

Asked by the Daily Telegraph about Prestwick airport being used as a conduit for the smart bombs, a Foreign Office spokesman was quoted as saying that the government was "looking at our approach to these flights." It has been reported that Israel was seeking more bunker-busting bombs after its air raids have failed to penetrate Hizbullah command posts.