Israel has no say on Hezbollah -- Hariri

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Hezbollah's right to maintain its weapons is a matter for Lebanon to decide, not Israel, the Lebanese prime minister said.

Beirut in 2009 adopted a measure that allowed Hezbollah, now a member of the Lebanese government, to maintain its arsenal in defiance of U.N. resolutions.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 helped solidify a cease-fire agreement to a 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. The resolution calls on Hezbollah to disarm while reminding Israel of its obligation to respect Lebanese sovereignty.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called for formal recognition that Israel was in constant violation of the cease-fire agreement because of daily military flights over Lebanese territory, Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper reports.

"We ask the international community to be aware of daily Israeli threats and we assure Israel that betting on schism in Lebanon will fail," the prime minister said.

Beirut said Hezbollah has the right to maintain an armed resistance so long as the threat from Israel persists. Israel and opponents of the measure said there would be no need for a defensive posture should Hezbollah disarm.

"It is not Israel who decides what Lebanon wants," said Hariri.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/02/04/Israel-has-no-say-on-Hezbollah-Hariri/UPI-34231265322207/.