UN asks Lebanon about reports of arms to guerillas

UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations has asked Lebanon to explain reports of arms shipments crossing the Syrian border destined for the Lebanese guerrilla group Hizbollah.

Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, a foe of Syria, said over the weekend that truckloads of arms and missiles had crossed the border intended for "armed groups" inside Lebanon. He alleged that the Lebanese army intercepted the shipment but allowed delivery to Hizbollah and possibly Palestinian groups.

The army said on Monday Jumblatt was incorrect and the weapons had been stocked inside Lebanon and shipped south to the "Lebanese resistance."

"We have followed the statements about the recent armed shipments including the statements of the Lebanese army," said a spokesman for UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen.

"If this information were to be confirmed it would be an alarming development in clear violation of resolution 1559," the spokesman said.

Security Council resolution 1559, adopted in September 2004, called for Syria to withdraw troops and intelligence agents from Lebanon and for the disarmament of militias. This would include Palestinian groups and the Hizbollah guerrillas, who dominate southern Lebanon.

Roed-Larsen, who reports on compliance with resolution 1559, asked the Lebanese government for an explanation on Tuesday, UN officials told Reuters.

- REUTERS