UN troops pull out of Lebanon as tensions mount near Israel border
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Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Friday, November 16, 2001
NICOSIA Ñ The United Nations is sharply reducing its peacekeeping
force in Lebanon amid increasing tension in the south.
So far, Finland, Ireland, Nepal and Sweden have pulled their troops out
of southern Lebanon. On Tuesday, the last members of the 650-member Irish
contingent left Lebanon.
Lebanon has appeared jittery over the UN withdrawal. Beirut has urged
the world body to maintain its peacekeeping and demining operations in
southern Lebanon.
Over the last few weeks, southern Lebanon has been gripped by rising
tension involving both Palestinian insurgents as well as Syrian laborers.
The focus of Palestinian tension is the Ein Hilwe refugee camp outside of
Sidon.
A Lebanese military statement issued on Wednesday said army positions
around Ein Hilwe have been repeatedly attacked. Hours earlier, attackers
hurled grenades and opened with automatic gunfire toward an army post. No
injuries were reported.
Ireland has participated in UN peacekeeping troops since 1978. The Irish
contingent also closed their headquarters in Tibnin.
Diplomatic sources said the UN plans to reduce its presence in Lebanon
to 3,500 soldiers by January. Earlier this year, the UN deployed an expanded
force of about 8,000 soldiers.
France, Italy, Poland and the Ukraine plan to continue their
participation in the UN force.
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