U.S. to give Israel $50 million to protect northern border

JERUSALEM [MENL] -- The United States has offered Israel $50 million to cover the cost of protecting the northern settlements following Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon last week.

United States Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk met with Israel's head of northern command, Maj.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi Tuesday and pledged U.S. support to Israel.

"Secretary Albright told Prime Minister Barak a few days ago on the phone that we will make available $50 million in existing foreign military assistance for the use through the army corps of engineers to help to provide for security in this part of Israel, in the north of Israel as a result of Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon," Indyk said.

Indyk also congratulated Israel on its withdrawal from Lebanon.

"It's been the long standing policy of the United States government that Lebanon should be free of all foreign forces and the Lebanese government should exercise its sovereignity throughout all of its territory and that's a policy we'll continue to pursue," he said.

Earlier, Israeli military officials said that the Israeli army had abandoned state-of-the-art military equipment in southern Lebanon, including an armored personnel carrier, as Israeli troops hastily evacuated the Hatzbaya outpost in the eastern sector of its withdrawal last week.

The Israeli Air Force later blew up the APC. It also destroyed 40 tanks and cannon batteries belonging to the South Lebanon Army, Israel's daily Ha'aretz reported Tuesday.

Despite efforts of the Air Force, Hizbullah guerrillas and the Lebanese army appropriated several cannons and armored vehicles.

But a senior military source said Monday that Israeli troops did not abandon computers belonging to the liaison corps at Marjayoun base.

However, Israel did leave behind food and equipment at the the supply base at Fatma Gate. The abandoned equipment included sleeping bags, military clothing, new trucks and large amounts of food.