Report: Secret Israeli plan to withdraw from south Lebanon
Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/15/1998

In its most recent issue, the Paris-based "al-Watan al-Arabi" magazine said that Israel has drawn up a secret plan to maintain a unilateral withdrawal from south Lebanon, but not to hand it over to the Lebanese authorities.

Israeli radio quoted the magazine as saying the plan deals with handing over to the South Lebanon Army the security zone from Jezzine to the Bekaa to the international border. This group, according to the plan, will monitor the region militarily and administratively.

Upon Israel's official announcement that it will withdraw from Lebanon, SLA leader Antoine Lahd will announce the region as a liberated zone enjoying self-independence, the report said. The zone would be run by a military government led by Lahd, and this government will comprise Islamic and Christian forces acquiring the tasks of ministerial posts.

Meanwhile, Israeli security sources said that Israel is still committed to its initiative providing for implementing UN Security Council resolution 425 within proper security arrangements. Israeli radio added that the security sources declined to comment on what had been published by al-Watan al-Arabi magazine concerning the Israeli plan to maintain a unilateral withdrawal from south Lebanon if its current initiative fails.

Previous Stories:
  Lebanese resistance attack 18 Israeli positions, Lebanese flag flies over Hadatha   (7/3/1998)
  Annan and Netanyahu discuss Lebanon withdrawal   (5/16/1998)
  Israeli defense minister calls on Syria to join his initiative on 425   (4/29/1998)

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