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Xybernaut

Israeli pullout begins with southernmost posts

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Wednesday, May 3, 2000

TEL AVIV [MENL] -- The Israeli military has acknowledged that the withdrawal from Lebanon has begun with the dismantling of border outposts.

Military sources said two outposts are already being dismantled. They are the posts at Tsiporen and Olesh near the border.

The sources said the border outposts will be the first to be dismantled. That will be followed by outposts farther north in Lebanon.

Tsiporen is along the border while Olesh is in southern Lebanon. At Tsiporen, a communications antenna was removed.

By July 7, the withdrawal is scheduled to be completed. The sources said the military will be given two weeks from the order until it completes the pullout.

The General Staff had requested that border outposts remain after the Lebanese pullout. But Prime Minister Ehud Barak nixed the suggestion, saying any Israeli presence in Lebanon will provide a pretext for Hizbullah attacks on the Jewish state.

Military sources said Barak has also ordered that the navy and air force end all operations in Lebanon or its territorial waters after an Israeli withdrawal. The sources said Barak explained that this would increase international support for efforts to ensure quiet along Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

Wednesday, May 3, 2000


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