Israel says al-Qaida operatives in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Israel's intelligence chief says dozens of al-Qaida operatives are flocking to Lebanon as the organization seeks to widen its Middle East base.

Military intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin said hundreds of operatives have been dispatched to Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, YNet News reported.

Yadlin told Israel's defense committee the expansion was ordered by al-Qaida's No. 2 leader, Ayman al-Zwahiri, who has made public calls for Israel to be destroyed.

Yadlin said Lebanon is the weakest link among the four Arab destinations, with U.N. peacekeeping forces and Western targets most likely to be attacked.