Israeli accusations that the Hezbollah party had set up weapons caches near Beirut international airport has raised fears in Lebanon that Tel Aviv may be preparing a new war against its northern neighbor.
Lebanon has denied the existence of such warehouses in the vicinity of Rafik Hariri International Airport.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil said on Monday Israel was trying to “justify another aggression” by making such false allegations. He also took foreign ambassadors to tour the area in order to refute the allegations that were made last week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations.
President Michel Aoun told visiting Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl on Tuesday that Netanyahu’s claims were baseless and that they “belie a new threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty and its international airport.”
He called on Austria and the world to remain wary of Israel’s plots against Lebanon.
“Lebanon will confront any Israeli aggression against its sovereignty,” he declared.
The Lebanese Forces’ Strong Republic bloc MP Antoine Habshe told Asharq Al-Awsat that concerns over a new Israeli war against Lebanon are always present.
The policy of disassociation from regional conflicts should be cemented in order to fortify the country against Israeli threats, he stressed.
He underlined the need for the government to “take all measures that would keep Lebanon away from the developments in the Middle East.”
Israel may not resort to a military war against Lebanon, but it could wage an economic or propaganda war against it.
Development and Liberation bloc MP Mohammed Khawaja told Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel remains a constant danger, but he ruled out the possibility of an imminent war.
He dismissed Netanyahu’s claims as propaganda, highlighting the seriousness of the fact that he chose to declare them before the UN.
He is trying to create incitement against Lebanon, he added.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary foreign affairs committee announced that it will pay a visit to the army command in southern Lebanon, as well as the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), to discuss the Israeli threats and the situation in the South.
Head of the committee MP Yassine Jaber said: “Lebanon needs protection because the Israeli threats are still present. Israel never needed an excuse in the past to attack us.”
Netanyahu, meanwhile, warned the Lebanese people against being dragged into a “dangerous Iranian game.”
He derided Bassil’s tour as "propaganda" and said it skipped a nearby missile factory.
“This is not a sign of innocence, but an attempt to cover the lies,” he added, saying the minister was defending Hezbollah.
“It is unfortunate that the Lebanese government is sacrificing the security of its people to cover up for Hezbollah, which is taking Lebanon hostage,” he stressed.
