Spy devices in Lebanon OK, Israel says

JERUSALEM, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Israeli military officials told U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon they would continue monitoring the country as long as Hezbollah poses a threat.

Security officials with the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon responded to reports of Israeli listening devices planted on Hezbollah communications equipment in the south of the country.

U.N. authorities claimed the devices appeared to be remnants of the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Lebanese officials said they were more recent, however.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz cites a "Western diplomat" saying that Israeli Brig. Yossi Hayman did not deny the use of surveillance equipment, adding his country would continue to protect itself from the threat posed by Hezbollah.

"Israel will continue to use all means necessary to defend its citizens," he said.

Border tensions between Lebanon and Israel intensified during the summer. Israel complained of renewed threats from Hezbollah while Lebanon pointed to repeated violations of its sovereignty.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which helped broker a cease-fire to the 2006 conflict, calls on Israel to respect Lebanese sovereignty while demanding that Hezbollah disarm.

Hayman said Israel does not consider the use of surveillance equipment a violation of its international obligations, however.

"In view of all this we do not consider this instance (of listening devices) as an Israeli violation of Resolution 1701," he said.