A high-ranking Israeli security source has advised Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah not to go out from hiding, a day after a similar threat was made against released prisoner Samir Qantar.

The Israeli daily Haaretz quoted the source as saying "that he doesn't advise Nasrallah to leave his hideout, (a move) which could be dangerous."

Nasrallah made a brief appearance at celebrations for the release of five prisoners, including Qantar, from Israeli jails in Beirut's southern suburbs on Wednesday.

But the Hizbullah chief was whisked out of sight a few minutes after his appearance at Al-Raya stadium to greet Qantar and his comrades.

He later gave a speech via video link.

The last time Nasrallah made a public speech was in September 2006 in a victory celebration among the ruins of the southern suburbs destroyed during the July-August 2006 war Hizbullah fought with Israel.

He also appeared in public for a few minutes in January during the Shiite Muslim holiday of Ashura.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth also hinted Thursday that it was possible the Jewish state would assassinate Qantar.