Barak: Withdrawal from Lebanon before July 7, 2000

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak reiterated yesterday that the Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanon would take place before the passage of a year from the time he took office, meaning before July 7, 2000. Barak also told Israel Radio, on the occasion of celebrations of the Jewish new year, that the Israeli troops are going to withdraw from Lebanon before July 7, 2000 and that the Israeli army will be spread along international borders in light of an accord to be signed. But Barak refused to answer the question on whether this withdrawal would take place if both Syria and Lebanon did not reach an agreement with Israel.