Israeli mini-Cabinet meets on withdrawal from south Lebanon

The Israeli mini-Cabinet for security and political affairs on Sunday concluded its meeting without setting a final date for Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon.

Israeli Radio stated that the meeting which was attended by the Israeli Army's chief of staff, Shaoul Mofaz, and the chairman of the Israeli intelligence, Amos Malka, dealt with the fate of the pro-Israel militias in south Lebanon following the Israeli withdrawal.

Meanwhile, the commander of the northern contingent in the Israeli police, Maj. Gen. Eili Roun, accused several Arab members of the Israeli Knesset and heads of Arab local authorities of extremism.

Israeli Radio stated that Roun considered the recent incidents of the Land Day (March 30) as a reflection of the state of extremism in the Arab circle. He called on the Israeli legislative authorities to give the Israeli police the legal means to confront those who provoke "the Arabs," who he claimed threaten bloodshed.

On Sunday morning Israeli Radio said that the security fence Israel intends to build along the borders to prevent possible infiltration operations from the Lebanese territories is of 150 km length, including 45 km that already existed in the Lebanese territories.

The radio added that the Israeli army will renovate the other 105 km, located in Israel.

On April 27, the director at the Israeli Defense Ministry, Gen. Amos Yaroun, announced that Israel will spend US $250 million to finance its withdrawal from Lebanon and the security measures on its northern borders.