Lebanese pessimistic on lasting peace with Israel

BEIRUT, Aug 14 (Reuters) A UN-brokered truce has succeeded in silencing the guns between Israel and Hizbollah, but peace along the Lebanese-Israeli border is unlikely to endure, many Lebanese say.

Both sides accepted last week's unanimously adopted UN Resolution 1701 -- but only after attaching caveats that appear to make a permanent peace less likely.

Israel has said it will not fully withdraw from southern Lebanon until international peacekeeping forces arrive alongside Lebanese troops. Hizbollah counters it will continue fighting as long as Israelis remain on Lebanese soil.

After killing 156 Israelis in the recent conflict, Hizbollah may be reluctant to disarm, analysts say. Disquiet over the fragility of the truce pervades Lebanese public opinion and the diplomatic community.

''There is genuine fear in Hizbollah that Israel will use any pretext to attack again,'' said Amal Saad Ghorayeb, author of a book on Hizbollah. ''The semantics of the (UN) resolution don't contribute much in easing any conflict,'' she said, adding she expected renewed attacks by Israeli troops within 24 hours.

''There's no way Hizbollah will leave the troops there and watch them,'' she said.

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