UNIFIL and detachments of the Lebanese Army are expected to deploy in south Lebanon to the international border in the near future, Foreign Minister David Levy was quoted by the Jerusalem Post as saying Sunday.
Levy said that he had good reason to believe that the deployments would take place soon after the UN finally confirms that Israel has fully withdrawn from south Lebanon in full compliance with Security Council Resolution 425, said the paper.
The Lebanese government has until now delayed giving the go-ahead for UNIFIL's proposed deployment or sending its own troops to the region because of alleged violations by Israel of the UN-determined withdrawal line.
Levy, in a meeting last week with UN Middle East envoy Terje Larsen, pledged that the nine infringements of the line that had been identified by UN experts would be rectified by the end of this month, the paper added.
Levy, in a meeting in Jerusalem with Czech Republic Foreign Minister Jan Kavan, outlined recent developments in the region and said he expects the Lebanese government to honor its commitments under 425.
"It is probable that we are at the onset of a new period in which each one Lebanon and Israel carries out its responsibilities," said Levy during the meeting, at which the two ministers signed a social security covenant, said the paper.
Israel has lodged over 120 complaints with the UN over daily rock-hurling disturbances by provocateurs on the Lebanese side of the border.
It is hoped that the deployment of UNIFIL soldiers and especially Lebanese Army troops in south Lebanon would put an end to such incidents, said the paper - Albawaba.com
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
