The head of the Israeli National Security Council, Major General Giora Eiland, has stated that a Syrian pullout from Lebanon would not be in Israel's interest, Army Radio reported Wednesday.
In a written paper presented to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Eiland wrote that "Israel has no real interest in a Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, which could threaten Lebanese stability and afford Hizbullah greater freedom of operation to escalate the conflict on Israel's northern border."
Eiland's document contradicted the line of Sharon, who has long demanded an immediate Syrian troop withdrawal as a condition of resuming talks with Damascus. A statement from the Sharon's Office issued Wednesday stated that "the Premier does not accept Eiland's recommendations."
