Hanegbi shoots down Iranian claims that Israel behind Beirut blasts

After Iranian ambassador in Lebanon accused Israel of attack, Likud MK says Israel gains nothing from bloodshed in Arab countries.

By HERB KEINON
Tzachi Hanegbi 521 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
Tzachi Hanegbi 521
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
Likud MK Tzachi Hanegbi on Tuesday rejected a claim by Iran's Ambassador to Beirut that Israel was behind twin blasts that killed at least 23 people, including an Iranian diplomat in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday.
Hanegbi said that it was quite humorous that a country that has perpetuated terror around the world, now is blaming others.
His comments came after Al Jazeera reported that "the Iranian ambassador in Lebanon, who escaped from the attack uninjured, is blaming Israel for the attack."
Hanegbi responded, "We are blamed for anything that happens in the Middle East. Sometimes these are things we take responsibility for because they have to do with Israel's security. But Israel's security gains nothing by bloodshed in Beirut or in any Arab capital or state, and is the result of tension in Lebanon following the decision of Hezbollah - or Iran forcing Hezbollah - to participate in [Syrian President Bashar] Assad's effort to survive in Syria.
Israel has nothing to with this attack or any recent bomb attacks in Lebanon, Hanegbi added.
Jpost.com contributed to this report.