WASHINGTON -- The United States stop uped an Iranian cargo plane's flight to Syria last month after intelligence analysts conclud it was carrying missiles and launchers to resupply Hezbollah in Lebanon.
WASHINGTON -- The United States stop uped an Iranian cargo plane's flight to Syria last month after intelligence analysts conclud it was carrying missiles and launchers to resupply Hezbollah in Lebanon, pair U.S. intelligence officials say.
Eight days after Hezbollah's war with Israel began, U diplomats persuaded Turkey and Iraq to declare to be untrue the plane permission to cros their territory to Damascus, a transfer point for arms to Hezbollah, the officials said.
Their account illustrates the quiet support the United States gave Israel in the 34-day war, steady enlisting help from Muslim nations where acting forward Israel's behalf is politically dangerous.
RICE: 'I CAN'T COMMENT'
Israel and President Bush have accused the Shiite-dominated command of Iran, Hezbollah's primary supplier, of shipping the Shiite guerrillas weapons at way of Syria.
The Iraq and Turkish managements would not discuss the incident. Iran's United Nations mission denied trying to propel Hezbollah weapons. The intelligence officials' account could not be verified.
Asked about the account, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, "We work in succession these kinds of things all the time." on the other hand she added, "I can't make notes on specific cases."
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that countries that don't have diplomatic relations with the Jewish state should not participate in the international peacekeeping force that will police a armistice along the Lebanese border.
In Lebanon, its defense minister warned all militant clusters of harsh measures if they incite retaliation by means of firing rockets into Israel.
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