Al-Hoss: we will not accept any arrangements for Israel's withdrawal
Lebanon, Politics, 4/28/2000

Lebanon has asserted its commitment to national principles and renewed its opposition to giving Israel any security arrangements as a stipulation for withdrawal from south Lebanon.

Lebanese Prime Minster Salim Al-Hoss said, "We are committed to international legitimacy represented in UN Security Council resolution 425 provides for Israel's total and unconditional pullout from South Lebanon and the Western Bekaa."

In a statement circulated in Beirut on Thursday al-Hoss stressed that Lebanon will refuse to be a guard for Israel's borders and that everything pertinent to the UN forces will be linked to the consent of the Lebanese government.

In his statement, al-Hoss added that "Lebanon's principles concerning the Israeli withdrawal are known. We have repeatedly stressed them. They have not changed and will not change. Lebanon is committed to international legitimacy resolutions, especially resolution 425."

He added, "Therefore, Lebanon calls for Israel's complete withdrawal from south Lebanon to beyond the internationally-recognized borders, and the withdrawal is unconditional."

He added that any violation of this line means that Israel does not withdraw according to UN resolution 425 as requested, and its retreat in this matter means redeployment and not pullback.

He indicated that Israel's abidance to UN resolution 425 after 22 years constitutes a defeat for Israel and a victory for Lebanon, its resistance and steadfast people and that the joys of the Lebanese people will be great when the last Israeli soldier quits the last inch of the Lebanese territories, and the Lebanese people are looking forward to a bright phase after the withdrawal.

Al-Hoss added, "We do not accept, at any rate, security arrangements as a precondition for the withdrawal, nor to be guards for Israel's borders." Al-Hoss asked, "If Israel, which claims to be the strongest military force in the region could not protect its borders, how could Lebanon do so?"

He said that Lebanon holds Israel responsible for any violation that might take place on the border after its withdrawal because Israel is responsible for not attaining a just and comprehensive settlement. He said that such a settlement will guarantee stability in the region and solutions for pending issues, including the question of the Palestinian refugees, adding that the optimum settlement can be only achieved in the framework of cohesion between the Syrian and Lebanese tracks.

He added that anything pertaining to the UN forces is linked to the consent of the Lebanese government.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese premier received a telephone call from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Lebanese official sources said that Annan told al-Hoss that his delegate to the region, Terje Larsen, will hold an official visit to Lebanon on May 4 within the framework of a tour he will hold to the region, expressing hope that this tour for his delegate will be a success.

Previous Stories:
  UN special envoy visits Middle East   (4/27/2000)
  Israeli paper and withdrawal from south Lebanon   (4/27/2000)
  Report: United Nations not to move troops without Lebanese consent   (4/27/2000)

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