UN: IDF to exit Lebanon by Sunday
Commander of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon tells Lebanese Premier Fouad Siniora during talks in Beirut that Israel will complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Sunday; UN spokesperson refuses to deny or confirm report
"General Pellegrini has engaged with the Lebanese Prime Minister to inform him that the Israeli army has committed to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon on Sunday," a Lebanese government spokesperson told AFP.
A spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) refused to confirm or deny the report.
On Thursday an IDF force, including tanks, a bulldozer and a number of vehicles was blocked by French UNIFIL troops at the outskirts of the south Lebanese village of Marwahin, near the border with Israel.
According to reports, the IDF force asked to advance deeper into Lebanese territory, but was stopped about 500 meters from the road leading to the village by four UNIFIL tanks manned by French soldiers as two Israeli Merkava tanks operated nearby on Lebanese soil, setting up checkpoints.
AFP reported that Israeli soldiers confiscated the identity cards of photographers at the scene, claiming they may give pictures of the Israeli military to Hizbullah members.
IDF sources said they are looking into the incident.
More than 90 percent of the territory previously controlled by the IDF in south Lebanon has been transferred to UNIFIL, but a few hundred soldiers still remain in the area.
