Israeli talks on staying in Lebanon is Israel's option

A report released by Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University called on the Israeli government to continue pursuing its current policy and its control of the security belt in south Lebanon until a settlement is achieved with the Syrians.

The report added that "maintaining peace with Syria is the best means to maintain security on the northern borders to Israel." The Israeli daily Haaretz indicated that the report, which was submitted to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, indicates that the continued Israeli presence in Lebanon is better than other alternatives despite the dear price paid by the Israeli army annually, with an estimated 20 -30 deaths.

The report under the title "Israel and South Lebanon" said that "Unilateral withdrawal from south Lebanon without a prior agreement with Syria implies high risks, noting that Syria desires to have the activities of the Hizbullah continued against Israel after withdrawal as a pressure means in the negotiations over the Golan." The report said, "It is most probable that attacks against the Israelis will be minimized after unilateral withdrawal, but this will be eventually at the expense of more hits in the line of the people of the Israeli settlements in the north of Israel."

This report, however, is based on a work done by researchers at the center with the participation of figures from outside Israel for more than one year. The report was prepared by (reserve) Maj. Gen. Shlomo Broum, who was the chairman for the strategic planning department at the Israeli army staff department.