Lebanese- Israeli row over al-Wazzani, UN security council extends for UNIFIL
Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 8/1/2003

The UN Security Council yesterday unanimously decided to extend the mission of the UN forces in south Lebanon for another 6 months, expressing "strong concern" over the "grave violations of the withdrawal lines through air, sea and land outlets."

On the other hand, the UN forces had forced a Lebanese citizen who owns the resort of "al-Wazzani spring" on the west bank of the river to remove a wooden bridge he had placed to link the two banks of the river, following an Israeli complaint.

In its resolution number 1496, according to which UNIFIL mission in south Lebanon was extended for 6 months, the UN security council condemned all "acts of violence" and expressed its "strong concern also concerning the grave violations of the withdrawal lines through air, sea and land outlets." The UN Security Council congratulated the "Lebanese government over the measures it had taken to ensure imposing its authority on all areas of south Lebanon, especially through deployment of its armed forces."

It also called on the Lebanese government to continue expanding the implementation of these measures and to exert all efforts to have peace prevail on all the south.

The UN Security Council with satisfactions viewed the contribution given by UNIFIL to dismantling mines in South Lebanon. It expressed thanks to contributing sides who support this effort "by material and financial aids." UNIFIL was established in March 1978 to cope with the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from South Lebanon which took place just recently in May, 2000 and UNIFIL members were reduced gradually until the number reached by the beginning of January this year to 2000 troops and 500 civilians with an annual budget of 95 million dollars.

On the other hand, owners of the "al-Wazzani river" resort had installed a wooden bridge linking the two banks of the river's western and eastern courses at 8- meters long and one and a half meters width. It is for the passage of children for swimming in the river.

Previous Stories:
  Annan recommends extending UNIFIL   (7/25/2003)
  Israeli warplanes violated the Lebanese airspace   (7/24/2003)
  Lahoud: Lebanon is persistent to restore back rights to Shebaa farms   (1/10/2003)
  Al-Sharq al-Awsat: Lebanon denies intention to build a project on al-Hasbani river   (12/24/2002)
  Berri: we will not give up one inch of soil nor drip of water; Lebanon inaugurates water project   (10/17/2002)

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