NICOSIA — Mounting tensions on Lebanon´s southern border with Israel have been accompanied by threats and shelling attacks by the Iranian- backed Hizbullah and the banning by Israel of civil aviation in the area.

In addiiton,Lebanon plans to enforce its military draft amid rising tensions along the southern border with Israel.

Hizbullah, which controls southern Lebanon, has launched repeated anti-aircraft shelling of northern Israeli towns and cities, Middle East Newsline reported.

Israeli military sources said Hizbullah has deployed an anti-aircraft missile called Messenger-1. The shoulder-fired missile is said to have a range of four kilometers.

Last week, Israeli authorities banned civil aviation from the Israeli- Lebanese border until further notice. The authorities ordered civil airplanes and helicopters to stay five kilometers from the border.

Hizbullah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah warned that Israel plans to attack Lebanon and Syria during any U.S.-led war against Iraq. He said Hizbullah would help protect Lebanon.

"We smell in the Israeli media campaign about Hizbullah´s growing firepower the smack of arrangements for a large-scale military offensive in Lebanon and possibly against Syria," Nasrallah said. "But the enemy must realize that the resistance has gained a much bigger military potential than in 2000 and we look forward to a greater victory that of the defeat of the Israeli occupation two years ago."

The Lebanese military has called on all 18-year-olds to report to register for the draft within three months of their birthday. A statement by the military´s high command warned that those who fail to register would be classified as deserters.

The military statement said Lebanese teenagers can seek exemption from the draft. But they said the decision would be taken by local recruitment offices.

Lebanon has a one-year compulsory military service. It has been largely ignored since the 1975 civil war and most of those who have been drafted over the last decade were youngsters from poor families.

The military´s warning comes as tension continues to increase along Lebanon´s border with Israel. The Iranian-backed (WORLDTRIBUNE.COM 12/09/02)