Israel deploys missile defense unit at Lebanese borderOctober 9, 2012 - 19:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israel has deployed a missile defense battery in a main city near the Lebanese border, the military said Tuesday, October 9 two days after warplanes shot down an unmanned aircraft that entered Israeli skies, AP reported. An army spokesman said the Patriot missile defense battery has been stationed in the northern city of Haifa. He refused to say if the battery's deployment was connected to Saturday's drone incident. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations. The drone entered Israeli airspace from the Mediterranean coast and flew for about 20 minutes before it was shot down over remote desert terrain. Israeli officials say they began tracking the craft before it reached Israel, waiting to bring it down in order to avert possible casualties on the ground. The military has not said where the drone originated or who produced it. But it appeared to be the work of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah, which possesses advanced Iranian weapons and has sent drones toward Israel in the past. Haifa is Israel's northern main port city. Israel deployed Patriot batteries in Haifa during its 2006 war with Hezbollah and on other occasions. Dozens of rockets fired from Lebanon hit the city during the monthlong 2006 conflict. Haifa is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of the border with Lebanon. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |