LEBANON: Israeli troops continue to occupy areas of Southern Lebanon

Record ID: 395731

  • Title: LEBANON: Israeli troops continue to occupy areas of Southern Lebanon
  • Date: 29th August 2006
  • Summary: (EU) RAS AL-BIYADA, LEBANON (AUGUST 28, 2006) (REUTERS) TAXI DRIVING PAST ISRAELI POSITION ISRAELI SOLDIER ON OUTPOST VARIOUS OF ISRAELI POSITION ISRAELI SOLDIER WALKING THROUGH POSITION
  • Embargoed: 13th September 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: International Relations,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVAA86V686U07AHAM96KE8LU2SZY
  • Story Text: As talks continue between United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and members of the Lebanese government, the situation in southern Lebanon remains tense, with Israeli troops continuing to occupy key areas of the country on Monday (August 28).
    Around the village of Marouahine, a town that witnessed some of the heaviest fighting during the 34-day war, Israeli troops keep watch over the heavily damaged village and the UN base situated no more than half a kilometre away.
    Israel has said it will not remove its troops from these positions until the full contingent of 15,000 UN peacekeeping troops is deployed in the country.
    Israeli armour was seen by Reuters Television stationed around the village of Aalma ech-Chaab. Having taken up positions overlooking the main road running through the area, the tanks kept watch on all traffic passing by.
    In Ras al-Biyada, Israeli soldiers used bulldozers to dig trenches overlooking the coastal road between the southern port of Tyre and the town of Naqoura on the Lebanon-Israel border.
    Daily life in south Lebanon has been brought to a virtual standstill by the damage caused by the 34-day conflict and the continued blockade implemented by Israeli forces.
    "We live here in fear. This is our house and those are the Jews over there, on the opposite side. Every evening we gather together in the same house because we are afraid. We do not want to see the Jews. Sometimes at sunset they come with tanks and other equipment," said Zaineb Mohammed, a resident of Marouahine.
    The next deployment of UNIFIL troops is not expected until later this week, with 800 to 1000 Italian troops expected to arrive by ship. Until the UNIFIL troops deploy along the border, the uneasy truce continues to be threatened.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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