US investigating if Syria passed Scuds to Hezbollah

Washington: The United States believes that Syria intended to transfer long-range missiles to Hezbollah resistance fighters in Lebanon but there are doubts about whether the Scuds were delivered in full and whether they were moved to Lebanon, US officials said yesterday.

The alleged deal to transfer the Scud missiles to Hezbollah has fuelled cross-border tensions with Israel and could cast doubt on US President Barack Obama's diplomatic outreach to Syria.

"We think the intent is there," a senior US official said of Syria transferring the missiles to Hezbollah.

But the senior official and two others briefed on the case said it was unclear whether the missiles, which could hit deep inside Israel, were actually handed over in full to the guerrilla group.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Partial transfer

"We believe a transfer of some kind occurred but it is unclear if the rockets themselves have changed hands," the senior official said.

A partial transfer could involve weapons parts, documents or funding, other officials said.

Another official said doubts were growing that Syria had delivered the Scuds in full and allowed them to transit to Lebanese territory: "We don't believe it happened."

"It's unclear at this point that a transfer has occurred ... and the United States has no indications that the rockets have moved across the border," a third US official said.

If the transfer is confirmed, it could create fresh obstacles to US Senate confirmation of a new ambassador being returned to Damascus after a five-year absence.

After Israeli President Shimon Peres accused Syria on Tuesday of sending Hezbollah long-range Scuds, the Obama administration said it was "increasingly concerned" about the transfer of arms to the group.

Damascus denied the transfer and said Israel might be using the accusation as a pretext for a military strike against Syrian targets.

Do you see any possibility of a war? What should be done and by who to calm tensions?