Sunday, 1 July, 2001, 10:35 GMT 11:35 UK

Israel attacks Syrian radar station

Israeli jets regularly fly deep into Lebanon

Israeli warplanes have attacked a Syrian military position in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, injuring at least two Syrian soldiers, according to Syrian security officials.

An Israeli government statement said the strike on a radar site was in retaliation for a rocket attack by Hezbollah guerrillas two days ago in which two Israeli soldiers were wounded.

"We cannot let Hezbollah attack without reacting," said deputy defence minister, Dalia Rabin-Filosoff speaking on public radio.

Hezbollah responded quickly to the air raid, firing on Israeli positions in the disputed Shebaa Farms area where Friday's violence took place.

Syria and Lebanon had warned Israel not to retaliate.

A joint statement released on Saturday had said: "Israel will be held responsible for the consequences of any further retaliation on the entire region, world security and peace".

Disputed area

The Bekaa Valley is dotted with Syrian radar, anti-aircraft and tank positions.

Witnesses said at least two missiles hit a Syrian position in the plain between the two main towns of Zahle and Baalbek.

Israel planes continued to fly over the area after the 1155 (0855 GMT) attack, witnesses said.

On Friday night, Hezbollah guerrillas had fired mortar and anti-tank missiles at two Israeli army outposts in the Shebaa Farms, where Lebanon meets Golan Heights land occupied by Israel since its capture from Syria in 1967.

Israel has repeatedly said that Lebanon bears responsibility for Hezbollah actions.

Hezbollah has vowed to keep fighting Israel until it leaves the disputed area.

Lebanon and Syria agree the land is Lebanese and should have been included in the Israeli pullout from southern Lebanon last year.

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2001

Answers

Contract Terms That Are Tough to Swallow

June 29, 2001 9:06 am EST

LONDON (Reuters) - As soccer transfers go, Spencer Prior's $985,500 move to Cardiff City will be remembered more for what has to be one of most bizarre contract clauses in the history of the sport.

In agreeing terms to join the newly-promoted second division club, the former Manchester City central defender will honor his contract by eating sheep's testicles and a cooked sheep's brain.

The clause was the idea of the Welsh club's Lebanese-born owner Sam Hammam, who believes that eating the Middle Eastern delicacy helped his players win promotion last season.

Prior refused to eat them raw. "It must be the strangest contract in the history of football," he said. "But I'll try anything once."

[I have to wonder if all that rage they are exhibiting over there has something to do with their diet.]

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2001