Netanyahu refuses withdrawal from Lebanon, continues striking it

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his government's refusal to pull out of south Lebanon, despite the heavy losses inflicted upon the Israeli occupation forces.

In statements he made on Wednesday to Israeli army radio, Netanyahu said that declaring a fixed date for withdrawal is a grave mistake. Netanyahu, moreover, criticized Labor party chief Ehud Barak who said he would work for pulling the Israeli army out of south Lebanon in one year after taking power if he wins forthcoming Israeli elections.

In this respect, the leader of the Israeli Centrist Party, Yitzhak Mordechai, told Israeli radio he supported Israel's pullout, but refused to give a fixed date.

Another candidate for the post of prime minister, Benny Begin categorically refused withdrawal from south Lebanon.

Furthermore, Israeli artillery on Wednesday bombarded a number of villages and towns to the north of the occupied part of south Lebanon, according to Lebanese security sources.

Israeli artillery shelled the al-Tuffah district mountainous areas and the towns of Yahmour and al-Hamra farm.

Also went under the Israeli bombardment were the towns of Rashaf, Kafra, Yater, Srbin, Hadath, Ein al-Jabal and Haris in the western sector of southern Lebanon.

The attacks were accompanied by heavy machine gun fire which targeted the mountainous routes that link al-Tuffah district to the occupied part of south Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Israeli war planes flew at low altitude over Nabatiyeh and al-Tuffah districts carrying out a series of provocative mock raids.

The Israeli war planes were intercepted by Lebanese army and national resistance anti-aircraft fire.