jerusalem • A senior Israeli military official yesterday accused Syria of arming Hezbollah in violation of a UN Security Council resolution which ended the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese militia.

"Syria has become Hezbollah's arms warehouse," military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin told minister during the Israeli cabinet's weekly meeting, according to another senior official.

"Hezbollah activists are doing whatever they want in Syria. Syria has removed all restrictions and through its irresponsible behaviour it allows Hezbollah access to nearly all of its strategic capabilities."

Israel has repeatedly accused Syria of arming Hezbollah and allowing Iranian weapons into Lebanon in violation of Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a 34-day war between Israel and the Lebanese militia two years ago.

Israeli officials have refrained from openly accusing Syria of supporting Hezbollah since the two states announced in May they were holding Turkish-mediated peace talks after an eight-year hiatus.

Resolution 1701 provided for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and their replacement by a UN-backed Lebanese army deployment.