Lebanese army on "alert" ahead of Israeli military exercises

May 30, 2009, 8:14 GMT

Beirut - Lebanese army sources said on Saturday that the country's military had been placed 'on full alert,' ahead of large- scale Israeli army maneuvers expected to begin on Sunday.

'Despite (the fact that) the Lebanese government has received assurances from various sides including (UN peacekeepers) UNIFIL that the maneuvers were defensive in nature, the Lebanese army was placed in a state of full alert along the border with Israel,' an army source who did not wish to be identified said.

Military patrols were seen near the Israeli border in the south of Lebanon Saturday.

Hezbollah, who were credited with leading resistance to an Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 2006, also said that their fighters were ready to respond to any 'possible aggression.'

There has been little suggestion in Israel that the country is preparing for a further war against Lebanon, although the maneuvers are expected to be unusually large.

Lebanon is preparing for a general parliamentary election on June 7, when a close contest is expected between the Western-backed ruling majority, and the opposition led by Hezbollah.