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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