Israel army keeps ban on traffic in south Lebanon

JERUSALEM, Aug 14 (Reuters) The Israeli army maintained its ban on unauthorised traffic in south Lebanon today even as thousands of refugees waited to return to their homes after a UN-brokered truce with Hizbollah guerrillas went into effect.

An army spokesman said the purpose of the restrictions, which were imposed south of the Litani river, was to prevent movement of Hizbollah gunmen and that anyone found on the road risked attack by Israeli forces. Up to 30,000 Israeli troops remained in south Lebanon.

REUTERS AB PM1359