Barak cancels trip; Syria warns of attacks

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak canceled a trip to Germany because of anticipated provocation from Syria on the death of a Hezbollah leader, sources said.

Barak called off his trip because he expects Syria to release findings of its inquiry into the assassination of Hezbollah leader Imad Mughniyeh and use the report findings to put the terrorist group into a position where it must react to his death, reported DEBKAfile.com, a military intelligence Web site.

Syria has held Israel responsible for Mughniyeh's death in an explosion in February.

Meanwhile, Israel's security cabinet Wednesday examined the country's war preparedness, also deciding to redistribute bio-chemical masks, the Web site reported. Military sources said intelligence indicated Syria could transfer to Hezbollah chemical or biological warheads.

Military leaders in Damascus were quoted as claiming Israel was preparing to attack Syria and Hezbollah and had ordered a partial call-up of its military reserves, said DEBKAfile.com, based in Jerusalem. Link