'Lebanon sees Israeli pullout by tomorrow'

Beirut, Sept 30: UN peacekeepers have advised the Lebanese government that Israel will complete a troop pullout from south Lebanon tomorrow, Lebanese officials said today.

The officials, who declined to be named, said UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commander Major General Alain Pellegrini had informed Prime Minister Fouad Siniora of Israel's plans yesterday.

''We have to wait and see if the Israelis will stick to their word this time,'' one source said. ''We've had similar promises in the past that did not materialise.'' Major General Pellegrini's spokesman had no comment on the report.

Israeli forces have gradually been pulling out of territory they captured during a 34-day war with Hizbollah guerrillas. The war ended with a truce on August 14.

Israeli officials had said they hoped to pull out all troops by last weekend, but this was delayed while discussions with UNIFIL on rules of engagement continued.

UN Resolution 1701, which ended the war, authorises up to 15,000 UNIFIL troops to join a similar number of Lebanese army troops in deploying in the south as the Israelis leave.

Around 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 157 Israelis, mostly soldiers, were killed in the fighting, which started when Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid.

REUTERS