Lebanon worried about new conflict from Israeli intervention

PARIS, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said here on Wednesday that he worried the Israeli intervention may create new conflict in the Middle East region after the recent overflights in Lebanese airspace.

"We fear an Israeli intervention. Last week, 25 overflights of Israeli aircraft have occurred in Lebanese airspace during a single day," Hariri said in an interview with French daily newspaper Le Monde.

The prime minister of Lebanon was on a three-day official visit to Paris with discussion of the peace process in the Middle East and bilateral relations on agenda.

"Israel thinks he is striking south of Lebanon not entire Lebanon, or hitting Dahhieh (southern part of Beirut controlled by Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah) not Lebanon. It's absurd," complained Hariri.

A few days earlier, Israel accused the Hezbollah militants of attempting to disturb the calmness on Israel-Lebanon border with " the help of Syria and Iran," while Hezbollah leader warned Israel that any intimidation or new military action to Lebanon would face intense counteraction.

"We are afraid if they (would) create a new conflict like they did in the past," Hariri said, accusing Israel of having no real intention for peace.

During Hariri's visit from Jan. 20 to 22, he will meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and sign some bilateral agreements on economic cooperation.