DATE=2/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / LEBANON (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259128
BYLINE=SUSAN SAPPIR
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Israel is considering pulling its forces
out of southern Lebanon sooner than the July
deadline originally set by Prime Minister Ehud
Barak. Susan Sappir reports from Jerusalem on
growing pressure from the Israeli public to get
out of Lebanon.
TEXT: Israeli forces have maintained a presence
in south Lebanon since a military incursion in
1978. But they have occupied a five to ten-mile
zone since 1982, when Israel invaded its northern
neighbor to drive Palestinian guerrillas away
from the border.
Since then, Israel has justified the presence of
its forces in Lebanon as a measure needed to
defend its civilians from guerrilla attacks.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak was elected last May on
a promise of taking Israeli troops out of Lebanon
by July. The Israeli public, which was previously
split over the Lebanon issue, is now demanding a
quick withdrawal.
The speaker of Israel's parliament Avraham Burg
said on Monday that Israel should pull its troops
out of Lebanon without further delay. Opposition
leader Ariel Sharon, who masterminded the 1982
invasion as defense minister, has also voiced his
support for a withdrawal. The cabinet discussed
the Lebanon situation on Sunday and announced it
would discuss withdrawal again in April. (Signed)
NEB/SS/GE
14-Feb-2000 06:57 AM EDT (14-Feb-2000 1157 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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