Defense officials: UN Resolution 1701 on the verge of collapse
Jul. 9, 2008 Yaakov Katz , THE JERUSALEM POST
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United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, passed to stop the Second
Lebanon War, is on the verge of collapse as Syria continues to rearm
Hizbullah, senior defense officials warned Tuesday night ahead of a
scheduled security cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will convene the cabinet to discuss the
rearmament of Hizbullah since the Second Lebanon War and to discuss ways to
curb the flow of weapons from Syria to the guerrilla group.

During the meeting, the ministers will be briefed by Military Intelligence
on Hizbullah's rehabilitation and preparation for another round of violence
with Israel.

Defense officials said Israel's only course of action at present was to
attempt to place pressure on diplomatic officials from European countries
that contribute to UNIFIL.

"Syria is rearming Hizbullah at a rapid pace and this is proof that 1701 has
completely failed," one official said.

The peacekeeping force's mandate will be up for renewal next month and
Israel is looking to see if it will be possible to make changes that will
give the force more freedom to prevent Hizbullah's rearmament.