Syria denies it threatened to attack Spanish peacekeepers in Lebanon

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Syria denied reports Tuesday that its security agents have threatened Spanish peacekeepers in southern Lebanon in a bid to block the extradition of a suspected arms dealer to the United States. The Spanish daily El Mundo, citing a local police report, warned Monday that Syrian native Monzer al-Kassar's extradition would pose a risk and a danger for Spanish troops based in Lebanon. Al-Kassar who had been living in Marbella for the last two decades, has been detained by Spanish authorities and is wanted in Washington on suspicion of arranging international arms deals. In October he appealed, claiming the charges were of dubious legality, and the United States had racist and political motives in pursuing him, but on December 13, Spain's National Court rejected approved his extradition.