Report: Hezbollah preparing for summer war

BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 11 (UPI) -- A senior Hezbollah official in Beirut said Wednesday the group's military wing was replenishing its weaponry and preparing for a summer war with Israel.

In an interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper, Deputy Secretary General Sheik Naim Kassem said the move was in anticipation the United States would encourage Israel into military action to stop weapons smuggling into Lebanon.

He also alleged U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney "has given orders for a covert war against Hezbollah," and claimed the Lebanese government was involved.

"This happens with the knowledge of the prime minister and is facilitated by the security forces under his command," he said.

Kassem also blamed failed talks between Hezbollah and the Lebanese government on Washington.

"We think that if it wasn't for America's interference, we would have resolved the issue of participating in the government a long time ago," he told the Guardian.

Hezbollah and Israeli troops fought a 34-day war last summer after two Israeli soldiers were kidnapped in a border raid.