Beirut, 30 October (AKI) - Lebanon's ambassador to the United Nations Nawwaf Salam has told UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon that Lebanon is preparing for an imminent Israeli attack against Lebanon. Lebanese news site Lebanon Now! quoted Salam as saying there are "indications of Israeli preparations for a wide-ranging attack on Lebanon."

Salam is said to have sent two letters to Ban as well as the UN security council condemning Israeli artillery fire earlier this week on the village of Houla. He said this was a "clear violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and of UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” and added that it is a part of a planned escalation which includes implanting spying devices in the south of the country.

Salam also said that the “pattern of Israeli breaches” constitutes a serious threat to Lebanon, and that the increased “escalation in a fragile and explosive situation” signals Israeli plans of an imminent attack.

Salam also pointed out that Israel's decision to rapidly retaliate after the rocket launch prevented Lebanese forces from investigating the attack.

On Wednesday, UN and Lebanese troops found near the border with Israel four rockets ready to be launched.

Also, an alleged Lebanese Al-Qaeda-linked group is said to have claimed responsibility for the launch of a Katyusha rocket against northern Israel on Tuesday, a US-based group who monitors Islamist websites said on Thursday.

An obscure group calling itself the Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack and was to protest a raid by Israeli police on Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound.