Israel warns Lebanese refugees not to go home yet

TYRE, Lebanon, Aug 15 (Reuters) Israeli warplanes dropped today dropped leaflets warning refugees not to head home to south Lebanon until the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers are deployed in the region.

''The situation in south Lebanon will remain dangerous as long as the Lebanese state does not deploy the Lebanese army and the international force,'' the Arabic leaflet said.

''For your safety, we warn you against heading south until the Lebanese army and the international force are deployed,'' said the statement from the ''Command of the Israeli Defence Forces''.

Tens of thousands of refugees have swept back to south Lebanon since a UN-brokered truce halted fighting between Israeli forces and Hizbollah guerrillas yesterday.

A UN resolution ordering the ''cessation of hostilities'' last week stipulates the deployment of 15,000 Lebanese troops and a UN force of up to 15,000 peacekeepers, and the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from south Lebanon.

REUTERS KD VC1848