SLA to continue fighting after Israel 's withdrawal from south Lebanon

The leader of the pro-Israel South Lebanon Army militia, Antoine Lahd, has asserted that his army will continue fighting and defending itself even after the withdrawal of the Israeli army from south Lebanon.

Israeli Radio quoted Lahd as saying in a press conference he held at Meitoula crossing on the border with Lebanon on Monday that if the SLA army would be able to defend itself in honor of the dignity of its members and the civilians in south Lebanon and their lands, then he will then defend it himself.

Lahd added that he and his soldiers prefer to commit suicide to becoming refugees. He, at the same time, expressed his confidence that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak will fulfill his obligations towards the SLA and that Barak did not break his promises until now.