Former Lebanese PM: UAV not a state decision

Siniora criticizes Hezbollah leader Nasrallah for sending drone that implicates Lebanon in potential Israeli reaction, 'Daily Star' reports.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
IAF shoots down UAV 370 (photo credit: IDF Spokesman's Office)
IAF shoots down UAV 370
(photo credit: IDF Spokesman's Office)
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said that the Hezbollah-dispatched unmanned aerial vehicle that flew over Israel was sent at Iran’s behest, and was not a Lebanese decision, a statement issued by Siniora’s press office said on Sunday.
“Sending the drone over Israel is not a Lebanese decision, however the move was made at an Iranian behest. Such act needs techniques only available in Iran,” Lebanese news site The Daily Star quoted Siniora as telling his visitors at his Sidon’s office.
The former prime minister did not condemn the infiltration, stating instead: "We are proud of any triumph against the Israeli enemy, however Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah hasn’t consulted the Lebanese state about sending a drone over Israel."
He added in the official statement that such behavior implicates Lebanon in possible military operations and Israeli reactions that threaten the security of Lebanese citizens.
“Nasrallah hasn’t asked the Lebanese if they are prepared to get engaged in such battle or into a war against Israel,” he said in his statement.
The former prime minister's comments come as a response to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's confirmation for sending a drone aircraft into Israel which was then shot down by the IDF.
Nasrallah said in a televised speech on the Al- Manar station that the drone was Iranian-made and that it was shot down near the Dimona nuclear reactor.
“The drone flew over sensitive installations inside southern Palestine,” he said.
Nasrallah claimed the Ayoub drone was designed and manufactured in Iran and assembled in Lebanon, denying reports that the drone was a Russian design.
The Hezbollah leader said the drone was sent as a response to what he referred to as Israel's violations of Lebanese airspace since 2006.
Gil Hoffman contributed to this report.