Hezbollah: Israel planning to kill leader

BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 22 (UPI) -- A Hezbollah official in Lebanon says Israel is planning to assassinate the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and is running drills to prepare for the fallout.

Nawaf al-Mussawi, head of Hezbollah's office of international relations and a candidate for the Lebanese elections, told London's Arabic newspaper Al Sharq al-Awsat that Israel's upcoming home front exercise, the third since the war in Lebanon in 2006, is aimed at preparing Israelis for the repercussions of assassinating the secretary-general of Hezbollah, The Jerusalem Post reported Friday.

The June 2 Israeli drill, dubbed Turning Point 3, will involve the sounding of sirens and civilians will be encouraged to enter bomb shelters or other secure locations.

In a televised address Monday Nasrallah himself said the drill could be an indication of "a new and unexpected war" to be waged by Israel. He said there was no current evidence of an impending attack but "it is a possibility that cannot be ignored."

"This gives the impression that Israel is preparing for a security or military attack on something, and assume that this aggression will lead to sudden and unpredictable reactions," the Hezbollah leader said.

Israeli diplomatic officials brushed off Nasrallah's suggestions as internal political posturing.