HIZBULLAH USES LEBANON FOR U.S. DIALOGUE

NICOSIA [MENL] -- The Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah, fearful of U.S.diplomatic and military pressure, has sought to launch an indirect dialoguewith Washington. Lebanese opposition sources said Hizbullah has recruited senior Lebanesecommanders and politicians to send messages to the U.S. intelligencecommunity. The sources said the Lebanese interlocutors were asked to seekan understanding with Washington that would avoid U.S. diplomatic ormilitary pressure on Hizbullah or its ally, Syria. They said Hizbullah wasmost concerned of a major Israeli military strike on either Lebanon orSyria.