Barak: US military aid may reach Hezbollah

JERUSALEM, June 10 (UPI) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said he fears U.S. military aid to Lebanon may reach the hands of Hezbollah.

"Anything relating to Lebanon must be done in a responsible manner ... . We do not like the supply of U.S. weapons to Lebanon ... They could wind up falling into the hands of Hezbollah," Barak told the Council for Security and Peace Tuesday, the daily Yedioth Aharonoth reported.

Lebanon's defense minister announced recently U.S. aid had already begun to arrive and the military equipment included 42 fighter jets, combat helicopters, drones and tanks.

During a visit to Beirut in May, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said his administration would rethink its policy in the event of a Hezbollah victory in elections, which were won this week by a pro-West coalition.

Touching on the subject of the outcome of the Lebanese general elections, Ynetnews.com quoted Barak as saying while Israel is pleased with the election results, Jerusalem is not overly excited by Hezbollah's loss.

"All of us have extensive experience with Lebanon, it would be better not to delude ourselves," the defense minister said.