Hezbollah accused of stockpiling rockets

BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 10 (UPI) -- Hezbollah has stockpiled as many as 20,000 rockets in underground bunkers in southern Lebanon near Israel's border, the Sunday Times of London reported.

Hezbollah, an Iranian-supported militia, has rebuilt its fighting capability in Lebanon even as United Nations peacekeeping forces monitor the area, the Times said.

"Hezbollah will never leave southern Lebanon," said former Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz. "It's now armed with rockets that could hit central and even southern Israel."

Hezbollah has returned by stealth since being forced to leave the border as part of the August 2006 cease fire.

"Since the Israeli forces left, Hezbollah has been building formidable military underground posts under the noses" of the United Nations, an Israeli intelligence officer told the Times.