Major-General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Monday that Israel would soon be destroyed by the "hands of Hizbullah."



Iran's Fars News Agency reported that Jafari's prediction appears in a letter he wrote to Hassan Nasrallah, the

Jafari's prediction appears in a letter he wrote to Hassan Nasrallah.

leader of the Lebanese terrorist group Hizbullah. Jafari was offering condolences to Nasrallah in the wake of last week's death of Hizbullah mastermind and arch-terrorist Imad Mughinyeh.

"In the near future, we will witness the destruction of the cancerous existence of Israel by the powerful and competent hands of the Hizbullah combatants," Jafari's note said. "Undoubtedly the martyrdom of this sincere fighter [Mughniyeh] will strengthen the determination of all revolutionary and combatant Muslims, particularly his comrades, in confrontation with the Zionist regime."

Mughniyeh was killed in a car bombing in Damascus, Syria last week. Israel has been credited with the elimination of the wanted terrorist, who was responsible for several major international terrorist attacks on Israeli, American and Jewish targets. No confirmation has been forthcoming from Jerusalem. US President George Bush commented only that "the world is a better place" without Mughniyeh in it.

Following the assassination, Israel raised alert levels at its embassies around the world, with military forces increasing security along the country's northern border and around key installations. In the US, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security advised state and local law enforcement authorities to be on alert for potential attacks by Hizbullah on Jewish communities or other targets within the US.



In response to Jafari's threatening letter, Israel's United Nations Ambassador Danny Gillerman filed a formal complaint with the UN Security Council on Monday evening. He called on the UNSC chairman to publicly condemn Iran for Jafari's statements, which he characterized as anti-Semitism and racism of the "most serious" kind.

Lebanese PM Siniora Against War With Israel

Speaking on Lebanese television earlier this week, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora warned against a confrontation with Israel. "The Lebanese people should not be dragged to war again. We all saw what happened in the past and I believe nobody wants it to happen again," he said.

Press TV quoted Siniora as saying, "Lebanon has no interest in open war with Israel because it will lead to a confrontation between the country and international community and therefore Lebanon and Hizbullah will suffer."

On Tuesday, during a state visit to London, Siniora made sure to place Lebanon firmly in the anti-Israel camp. His country wants good relations with every country in the world, he said, except for Israel, "our only enemy." Furthermore, he charged, the growing internal strife in Lebanon between pro- and anti-Syrian groups only serves Israel's interests. The Lebanese premier said his country wants "good relations" with Syria and Iran, "but relations must be based on mutual respect."

Siniora is expected to visit France and Germany later in the week.