Israeli war games stoke border tension

Occupied Jerusalem: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sought to re-assure Syria and Lebanon on Sunday that Israel did not want a major missile attack drill to worsen tensions along its northern border.

"The goal of the exercise is to check the authorities' ability to carry out their duties in times of emergency and for preparing the home front for different scenarios," Olmert told a weekly cabinet meeting.

"There is nothing else hidden behind it. All the reports on tension in the north can be moderated and cooled down. We have no secret plans" behind the exercises, codenamed "Turning Point," he added.

A five-day nationwide exercise simulating air and missile attacks on cities, including by non-conventional weapons, began yesterday, the army said.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora asked UN peacekeepers "to be careful" that Israel will not use the manoeuvres "to launch operations capable of increasing tension", a statement from his office said.

In Beirut, a Hezbollah MP warned that the Shiite militia was prepared for any eventuality. "There is no doubt that these drills come in preparation for something huge. No one knows what the nature of this thing is, but the Israeli army has been training around the clock to significantly improve its attack and defence techniques for the near future," military analyst for Israeli Channel 10 Alun Bin Ami told Gulf News.

"Israel is preparing for a war," Tulb Al Sane'e, Israeli Knesset member, told Gulf News. "The military leaders aim to restore respect for the Israeli army."

Schedule: Emergency response

The military and civilian drills which began yesterday also included participation by emergency departments, fire department, the Red David Star and the Israeli police.

Between Tuesday and Thursday, a series of drills and manoeuvres will be held all over the country that include training for school pupils.

On Wednesday, emergency forces will be trained on different scenarios.

On Thursday, more drills will be performed based on the non-conventional missile scenario.