US counterterror experts testify that group continues to threaten Lebanese government, Israel and has ability to launch an attack on the US as well. FBI official: Hizbullah sympathizers in US raise money through money laundering, drug trafficking and fraud Associated Press
US Counterterrorism officials on Thursday testified that Hizbullah 's capable, well-trained fighters continue to threaten the survival of Lebanon's government, Israel and US interests around the world. Frank Urbancic, a State Department counterterrorism official, told the House of Representatives' International Relations Committee that Hizbullah enjoys a symbiotic relationship with Iran and Syria , receiving money, arms and training. Counterterrorism official with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, John Kavanagh, called Hizbullah one of the world's most capable terrorist groups, "A well-trained guerrilla force that is proficient in military tactics and weaponry." Hizbullah's leader Hassan Nasrallah recently told thousands of supporters that the group still has 20,000 rockets. Threat to US? Kavanagh said that although Hizbullah has the ability to launch an attack on the United States, it has not done so since the 1996 attack on the Khobar Towers dormitory in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 US military personnel. Hizbullah sympathizers in the United States, Kavanagh said, have laundered money, trafficked drugs and engaged in bank and credit card fraud. Hizbullah has "acted as a willing partner" in Iran's long-standing efforts "to combat US interests it perceives as at odds with its own," Urbancic said. That relationship, he testified, remained firm throughout the 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hizbullah that ended with a cease-fire last month. "We believe that Hizbullah's decision to exacerbate the conflict with indiscriminate rocket attacks into Israel targeting Israeli civilians could not have happened without at least the tacit support of Tehran," Urbancic said. Hizbullah's military profile has recently dipped in the south, he said, although it was unclear to officials if that was because of po litical concerns or losses suffered in the war. He said that Hizbullah has "deep roots and broad support," noting its quick reconstruction and humanitarian work after the fighting with Israel ended, "Well in advance of international donor efforts." A US indictment alleges that a smuggling ring in the state of Michigan dealt in contraband cigarettes and other items, steering some of the profits to Hizbullah guerrillas. To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
