Lebanon reports Israeli fighter planes breach air space

Lebanon reports Israeli fighter planes breach … JPost – Defense.

By REUTERS

01/30/2013 12:54

Lebanese army statement says four Israeli Air Force jets entered air space throughout the night; IDF have not confirmed report, which comes amid heightened concern over the fate of Syria’s stockpile of chemical weapons.

IAF plane takes part in maneuvers [file]

IAF plane takes part in maneuvers [file] Photo: IDF spokesperson

BEIRUT – Lebanon said on Wednesday Israeli Air Force (IAF) jets had flown over its territory overnight, part of apparently increased air activity which comes as Israel has expressed concern about weapons in neighboring Syria falling out of government control.

A Lebanese army statement said that four Israeli planes entered Lebanese air space at 4.30 p.m on Tuesday. They were replaced four hours later by another group of planes which overflew southern Lebanon until 2 a.m and a third mission took over, finally leaving at 7.55 a.m on Wednesday morning.

Lebanon frequently complains that Israeli jets overfly its territory. However the recent activity was much more concentrated than usual.

There was no explanation for the operations in the region, bordering southern Syria. The statement made no mention of planes entering Syrian airspace.

Israel’s vice premier Silvan Shalom said on Sunday that any sign that Syria’s grip on its chemical weapons is slipping, as President Bashar Assad fights rebels trying to overthrow him, could trigger Israeli military strikes.

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