US official in Beirut expresses concerns over missile shipments

Apr 27, 2010, 19:03 GMT

Beirut - A US official conveyed concern about reports of missile shipments from Syria to the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah during talks Tuesday with Lebanese officials.

John Brennan, a senior advisor on counterterrorism to US President Barack Obama, called the reports, if true, 'a threat to the stability and security of Lebanon,' according to a statement from the US embassy in Beirut.

Brennan has met with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, Foreign Minister Ali Shami, Premier Saad Hariri, Defence Minister Elias Murr and Army commander Jean Khawaji during his visit.

Israeli President Shimon Peres earlier this month accused Syria of smuggling Scud missiles into Lebanon. US officials summoned Syria's top diplomat in Washington to register their concern over the allegations, but noted they had no confirmation of any such transfer.

Israel fears that the missiles, which have a range that would allow them to hit Tel Aviv, could inflict far greater damage than the Katyusha rockets fired from Lebanese territory during the July 2006 Lebanese-Israeli war.

Lebanon has denied the accounts.

According to the statement, Brennan reiterated that 'the United States hopes and expects that the government of Lebanon will exercise its legitimate authority over all of Lebanon.'