The alleged deal to transfer the Scud missiles to Hezbollah has fueled cross-border tensions with Israel and could cast doubt on U.S. President Barack Obama's diplomatic outreach to Syria.
"We think the intent is there," a senior U.S. official said of Syria transferring the missiles to Hezbollah, a Iranian- and Syrian-backed Islamist group that fought a war with Israel in 2006.
But the senior official and two others briefed on the case said it was unclear whether the missiles,... were actually handed over in full to the guerrilla group. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. "We believe a transfer of some kind occurred but it is unclear if the rockets themselves have changed hands," the senior official said.
A partial transfer could involve weapons parts, documents or funding, other officials said.
Another official said doubts were growing that Syria had delivered the Scuds in full and allowed them to transit to Lebanese territory: "We don't believe it happened." "It's unclear at this point that a transfer has occurred ... and the United States has no indications that the rockets have moved across the border," a third U.S. official said..."
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