Lahd: No withdrawals before agreement

The commander of the Israeli-allied South Lebanon Army militia, Antione Lahd, has ruled out a partial Israeli withdrawal from the occupied part of south Lebanon.

In an interview with Middle East TV, which is broadcast from the occupied part of south Lebanon, Lahd said: "There are no partial or complete withdrawals as said by Israeli and Lebanese media. The withdrawal will be after an agreement."

Lahd, who arrived in lebanon from Israel, where he was admitted on Tuesday to hospital for medical checkups, continued that, "All Israeli officials, including the prime minister, Ehud Barak, stressed that the withdrawal will be made after an agreement is reached."

Lahd was speaking at the entrance of his house in Marjyoun town, where the SLA headquarters is located.