Haaretz
Tevet 25, 5767
Israel Defense Forces Chief of
Staff Dan Halutz on Sunday dismissed speculations of an imminent war with
Syria as "premature and exaggerated," Army Radio reported.
When
asked to comment at the weekly cabinet meeting on reports indicating the
possibility of a war this summer, Halutz said "we are always preparing,"
but added, "The Syrians have also heard these comments. Sometimes
speculation can bring about consequences that nobody wants."
The
IDF chief also warned ministers that Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan
Nasrallah was increasing his efforts to topple the Lebanese government
headed by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, according to the
radio.
"Damascus is indeed pulling the strings in Lebanon, but the
IDF has managed to lower the temperature on the northern front," Halutz
told ministers during the meeting.
The IDF's strategic assessment
for 2007 warns of the possibility of a conflagration with Lebanon and
Syria in the coming year. The assessment is based on the IDF's working
plan for the year, which takes into account the lessons learned in the
2006 Lebanon War.
A senior military source last week said the IDF
had identified a decline in regional stability in the Middle East, giving
rise to the possibility of hostilities involving Lebanon, Syria, the
Palestinian Authority and Iran.
Related article:
IDF predicts possible conflict with Lebanon, Syria in
2007