August 8, 2006

By URI DAN, with Post Wire Services, New York Post, August 8, 2006

JERUSALEM - A captured Hezbollah terrorist who took part in the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers that sparked the war in Lebanon has confessed he received military training in Iran, according to a recording of his interrogation.

Under questioning by Israeli authorities, Hussein Ali Suleiman, 22, revealed he was sent to Iran twice for weapons and explosives instruction, most recently at the end of 2003.

“We went from Beirut to Syria,” said Suleiman, whose capture by Israeli forces inside Lebanon was announced by Israel on Sunday.

“We went in Land Rovers, which are recognized as Hezbollah vehicles. We crossed the border to Syria at a military passage.”

The Hezbollah terrorist said there were 40 to 50 people in his group and after they crossed from Lebanon into Syria, they were transferred to a bus.

“We were led to a special part of Damascus airport” for a flight to Iran, Suleiman said.

“And your passports were stamped?” his interrogator asked sarcastically.

“We had no passports,” replied the militant, who had light bruises on his face and lips.

Suleiman, who spoke in Arabic, said he was trained in Iran in the use of anti-tank and other weapons, explosives and first aid. His second round of training was in anti-tank weapons, which are being used extensively against Israeli forces.

He said his role in the July 12 kidnapping on the Israeli side of the border was to prevent Israeli tanks from chasing the abductors into Lebanon. Several soldiers were killed in the attack as Hezbollah guerrillas made off with reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.

In the tape of his interrogation released by the Israeli army, Suleiman said he joined the terrorist group at age 16 and took part in a religious “brainwashing” seminar.