Israeli Cabinet approves pullout from Lebanon
Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/6/2000

The Israeli Cabinet on Sunday unanimously approved the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon by July and signaled that a withdrawal could take place without a peace deal with Syria.

A statement by the Israeli Cabinet to this end said the "The Israel Defense Forces will deploy on the border with Lebanon by July 2000, and from there will secure the safety of the northern towns and villages," and that the government is working to achieving this redeployment in the framework of an agreement.

The statement added that in case such an agreement cannot be made the government will meet again to discuss ways of implementing this withdrawal.

Meanwhile, the chief of staff of the Israeli Army, Shaoul Mofaz has renewed his criticism to the Israeli army soldiers and officers who call for immediate withdrawal from south Lebanon following the strikes the Israeli Army and its militia allies have received at the hands of the Lebanese resistance.

Israeli Army Radio said that Mofaz, who talked to students at "Kafar Saba" colony, asserted the need to punish the Israeli soldier who refused confrontation with the Lebanese resistance, adding that, "If any Israeli soldier wants not to join the fighting units, he has to announce this beforehand."

The Israeli Cabinet began deliberations on the issue last week, but took no decision despite growing public pressure for an immediate withdrawal from the south Lebanon border area Israel has occupied since 1985.

Previous Stories:
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  Barak and the withdrawal from south Lebanon   (2/26/2000)
  Report: Fate of SLA militia members after Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon   (2/26/2000)

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