American team investigation over al-Wazzani project
Lebanon-Israel-USA, Politics, 9/18/2002

An American delegation started on Monday a technical investigation concerning the Lebanese project to use the water of al-Wazzani river in south Lebanon; an issue which Israel had threatened to make of a "reason for war" with lebanon.

The team arrived until near al-Wazzani spring ( the eastern sector of southern Lebanon) in cars belonging to the American embassy in Beirut, escorted by a unit for the Lebanese army. At the site, two flags were raised, one for Lebanon and the other for the Lebanese Hizbullah Party.

The team, according to the American embassy in Beirut, includes a water expert. The team inspected the new network of water installed by the Lebanese government but not yet operational, besides the old network which provides water to the citizens of al-Ghajar border town which falls under the Israeli control.

The press office for the American embassy in Beirut said that Lebanon and Israel agreed to send an American team to be familiar with the facts. The press office said that another expert in the field of water at the US Department of State will arrive during this week to Lebanon.

A Lebanese source said that the American team was sent to Lebanon following talks that took place between the Lebanese foreign minister Mahmoud Hammoud and his US counterpart Colin Powell and also with the UN secretary general Kofi Annan in New York, on the sideline of the UN General Assembly.

According to an official Lebanese sources, Lebanon rejects that the American team will take on the role of mediation. The source which asked not to be identified said "if there is a dispute it can be settled within the framework of the UN and according to international treaties."

Lebanon is building a network for bringing water from al-Wazzani river, one of the tributaries of al-Hasbani river at a length of 16 Km to reach directly 20 villages. The waters will be pumped directly to the network from the river.

Last Tuesday, the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon said that converting the waters of al-Hasbani river which springs from Lebanon and pours in the Tiberies lake constitutes a "reason for war," for Israel. Sharon explained that Israel informed the US about this matter, threatening Lebanon to launch a military operation against it in case al-Wazzani water pumping project is executed.

On Saturday, the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud said that Lebanon's decision to make use of al-Wazzani river is "definite" and not be taken back "despite the Israeli threats."

Previous Stories:
  Israel and al-Wazzani river waters   (9/16/2002)
  Hariri complains against Israeli threats: Lebanon seeks to complete al- Wazzani project   (9/13/2002)
  Sharon threatens war against Lebanon if Hasbani river water is diverted   (9/11/2002)
  US ambassador in Beirut discusses with President Lahoud tension in Ein al-Helweh camp   (8/10/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search