Siniora: Ghajar remains occupied
Photo: AP
Le Roy: Hopeful
Photo: AFP
Siniora cites spy arrests as Israeli reason to withdraw from Ghajar
Lebanese PM says rumored IDF pullout from Arab border town is 'expression of anger and confusion' following spy ring arrests, while UN peacekeeping chief says UNIFIL hopeful for withdrawal
Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora said Monday that rumors of Israel's planned withdrawal from a border village were signs that the State was "confused" over the arrests of alleged Israeli spies in Lebanon.
The timing fueled speculation that Israel's intention is to help Siniora's parliamentary majority as it contests a crucial election next month against Hizbullah-led factions, a claim rejected by the prime minister's office.
"Ghajar remains occupied until the unconditional pullout of Israeli forces," Siniora's statement said.
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Siniora instead said the Israeli withdrawal is "an expression of its anger and confusion" in the light of the recent arrests and breakup in Lebanon of several rings that authorities said were spying for Israel.
Israel took Ghajar when it captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 War. The village was divided between an Israeli-controlled part and a Lebanese section by the United Nations following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon in 2000.
UN Peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy also expressed hope that Israel would withdraw its forces from Ghajar, following a tour of the border.
The comments by Le Roy came a day after Haaretz newspaper reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to seek Cabinet approval of the withdrawal plan before flying to Washington in two weeks.
Le Roy said peacekeepers of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon are talking to Israel on a withdrawal arrangement, but no date has been given yet. He said he intends to press officials on an early resolution when he travels to Israel in the next few days.
Israel must withdraw from the territory under a UN resolution that ended the 34-day Israel-Hizbullah war, he added.
"We are hopeful that we will soon reach an understanding on the UNIFIL proposal that will facilitate Israel's withdrawal from the area," Le Roy said.
He did not disclose the proposal, but Haaretz said the plan envisages hundreds of UN Peacekeepers stationed in and around Ghajar to provide security after the Israeli withdrawal.
Last week, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman urged visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to press Israel for a withdrawal from the northern part of Ghajar.
