Lebanon Bemoans Israel 'violation' of Res. 1701

Lebanon condemns Israel for operating espionage cells in the country, saying Tel Aviv has clearly violated international law and UN resolutions.

A statement released by the office of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora on Monday said Israeli spying networks are in "clear violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and a violation of UN resolution 1701" which ended the 2006 military aggression against Lebanon.

The prime minister has also asked all the parties involved to provide the government with any information they have that may officially verify Israeli espionage operations to the UN Security Council.

A senior Israeli official on Sunday said that Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu plans to announce this week his government's plan to withdraw from the Lebanese village of al-Ghajjar.

Siniora's government, however, does not acknowledge the possible move by the hawkish government in Tel Aviv as a goodwill gesture.

"The Israeli announcement that it could pull out of occupied Lebanese village of al-Ghajjar is due to Israel's confusion and anger following the uncovering of Israeli-linked spying networks by the Lebanese intelligence services," he said.

According to Siniora, a mere Israeli announcement does not amount to action. "Ghajar remains occupied until the unconditional pullout of Israeli forces."

Lebanon considers itself at war with Israel and bans its citizens from having any contact with Tel Aviv. Under Lebanese law, the death penalty awaits those who are convicted of espionage.

The suspected spies are accused of providing Israeli intelligence agencies with information on Lebanese and Syrian military as well as civilian sites "with the aim of facilitating Israeli attacks", a Lebanese judicial official announced last month.

The 16 suspected spies arrested since January include a number of police and security officers as well as a Palestinian national.