Weizman: Arrangements needed before Lebanon withdrawal; Britian concerned over Israeli Golan settlements

Israeli radio quoted Israeli President Ezer Weizman as saying today that there is an urgent need to reach an understanding between Israel and both Lebanon and Syria before achieving an Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon.

Weizman added that there is also a need to find security arrangements which ensure the safety of the Israeli citizens in the north and to reach an understanding with a party that will be responsible for ensuring security and order in Lebanon before Israeli troops withdraw from south Lebanon.

Weizman's statements were made during his meeting with members of the Israeli "Four Mothers " organization which demands immediate Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the British Foreign Office expressed Britain's concern over Israel's plan to build new settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

A statement circulated by the British Embassy in Damascus on Monday said the Israeli new plan in the occupied Golan Heights is a grave setback in the Middle East peace process.

The statement said the British Foreign Office also stressed that Israeli settlements in the occupied Arab lands are illegal according to international law. It called on Israel to halt settlement activities because they are in contradiction with international legitimacy resolutions and the Middle East peace process.