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Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/07/02/INGIJJM87B1.DTL
Iran Uses Shiite Ties to Position Itself in Lebanon
(San Francisco Chronicle) Christopher Allbritton - Nowhere else, with the possible exception of Iraq, is Iran so well positioned as in Lebanon. "This has been an almost unmitigated success" for Iran, said a Western diplomatic source. Western officials are alarmed. With Hizballah refusing to disarm despite UN Security Council resolutions, the machinations of Tehran are viewed in Western diplomatic circles in Beirut as geared toward building an offensive capability. Last month, Iran and Syria signed a joint defense pact in Tehran which could allow for the basing of Iranian troops in Syria. As for Lebanon, "There is no doubt the Iranian intelligence is here," the source said. "We believe the Revolutionary Guard is here, but we don't know the location."