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Lebanon Urges UN to Extend Term of Peacekeeping Force
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(http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=E12AC7:3919ACA

Interim force first arrived in Lebanon in 1978 to monitor withdrawal
of Israeli troops under Security Council Resolution 425





Lebanese security man guards two of UN investigators, as one of them
carries box of evidence at the explosion site where former Lebanese PM
Hariri was assassinated Lebanon is requesting the United Nations
extend the term of the interim peacekeeping force after clashes
between Hezbollah militia and Israeli forces over the past three days
have been the deadliest in six months.

Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud is calling on U.N. Secretary-General
Kofi Annan to extend the mandate for the United Nations peacekeeping
mission operating in southern Lebanon for six more months.

The interim force first arrived in Lebanon in 1978 to monitor the
withdrawal of Israeli troops under Security Council resolution 425.
Mister Hammoud says that resolution has not been fully implemented
because he claims Israel is still occupying the disputed Lebanese
region of Shebaa Farms.

Fighting between Hezbollah militia and Israeli forces flared up on
Wednesday when an Israeli soldier was killed by Hezbollah. Israel
retaliated with air strikes over southern Lebanon.

The Vice President of Hezbollah, Kotami Mahmoud claimed Israel had
initiated the fighting and the Lebanese militia was simply resisting.

He says peace in the border regions with Israel is not possible until
the Lebanese land in the Shebaa Farms region is liberated from
occupation.

Lebanon and Syria agree the area of Shebaa Farms is part of Lebanon
but Israel claims it as part of its territory. The U.N. issued a
statement condemning the recent violence and is calling on the
Lebanese government to extend greater control over its territory.

The U.N. is also pushing for full implementation of Security Council
resolution 1559 passed last year, which calls for the disbanding and
disarming of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias.



Mr. Mahmoud says Hezbollah will hold onto their weapons and that the
recent parliamentary elections is a sign of support from Lebanese
people for them do so. The re-elected parliamentary speaker Nabih
Berri, in a speech this week, indicated his support for Hezbollah to
remain armed and said disarmament is an issue for the Lebanese
government.


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