Syria-Israeli tension mounts

SYRIA warned yesterday that Israel was paving the way for new military action in the region with its allegation that Damascus is providing Scud missiles to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Israeli defence officials have said they believe Hezbollah has Scud missiles capable of hitting all of Israel and earlier this week, Israeli President Shimon Peres accused Damascus of providing the weapons.

Syria strongly denied the charge, saying it “believes that Israel aims through these claims to further strain the atmosphere in the region”, according to the foreign ministry.