Israel says Hizbollah, Iran coordinated abduction
reuters ^ | 18 Jul 2006 | Reuters
 

ERUSALEM, July 18 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accused Hizbollah on Tuesday of coordinating its abduction of two Israeli soldiers last week with Iran, enabling Tehran to divert attention away from its nuclear programme.

Olmert, riding a wave of popularity at home for his massive offensive against Hizbollah, also appeared to pour cold water on calls for an international stabilisation force for Lebanon, which have grown with the crisis about to enter its second week.

"The prime minister said the timing of the attacks in the north was not by chance and was coordinated with Iran with the aim of diverting international attention from the Iranian issue," said a statement issued by Olmert's office.

Olmert said the attack was timed to coincide with a meeting of the Group of Eight leaders in St. Petersburg at the weekend where the Lebanon crisis took centre stage instead of a discussion on Iran's nuclear programme.

"Unfortunately this Iranian trick succeeded," Olmert said in direct remarks.

Olmert reiterated he would not negotiate with Hizbollah -- which is backed by Israel's sworn enemies Iran and Syria -- and added that it was too early to talk about a new international force to stabilise Lebanon.

"The headlines sound good (on the force) but our experience shows this is an idea without any basis ... I want to be cautious on this issue and it seems to me that it's too early to discuss it," he added.

Olmert said a small United Nations force which has been in southern Lebanon for decades had accomplished nothing.

The Lebanon crisis erupted when Hizbollah captured the two Israeli soldiers and also killed eight others last week in a cross-border raid. Israel has responded with a wave of air strikes and a blockade of Lebanon.

The statement said the army would not stop its operations in Lebanon until it is was "absolutely certain" there was no longer a rocket threat against Israel.