Israeli sources speak of approaching withdrawal from south Lebanon

Israeli sources said today that military officials discussed alternatives concerning the Israeli forces' withdrawal from south Lebanon, saying that those officials attended a meeting headed by the army's chief of staff.

The sources said that if Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak reached in two weeks the conclusion that there is no use in the efforts exerted to resume the negotiations with Syria rapidly, the Israeli army's unilateral withdrawal from Lebanon becomes a more likely matter, therefore it would be very stupid to wait until the date specified by the Israeli premier for the withdrawal from the south because the victims are falling daily.

The sources added that those officials discussed the safety of 2,000 members of the South Lebanon Army militia, which is allied with Israel, and that the Israeli premier undertook bringing back the Israeli soldiers from south Lebanon before middle of the coming year.