DATE=2/16/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / LEBANON (S-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259223
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:
INTRO: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is taking on
new powers to respond to guerrilla attacks against
Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon. As V-O-A's
Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem, the new powers
were granted Mr. Barak by Israel's Security Cabinet -
the cabinet officers who deal with defense and
national security issues.
TEXT: The Israeli Security cabinet decided to give
Prime Minister Barak, Foreign Minister David Levy, and
former general and Deputy Prime Minister Yitzhak
Mordechai the power to order immediate retaliation for
deadly Hezbollah attacks in southern Lebanon.
In the past, major military actions have required
approval from the Security Cabinet and have involved
lengthy deliberations.
The move follows a rare public appeal by Israel Army
Chief of Staff, Shaul Mofaz, to let the military
respond when guerrillas fire from within villages and
other populated areas.
Seven Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon
since the beginning of this year.
Last week, Israeli warplanes destroyed three power
stations in the worst warfare in Lebanon in eight
months.
Hezbollah guerrillas are fighting a war of attrition
against Israel inside a buffer zone in south Lebanon.
Israel says it needs the zone to protect against
attacks on communities near the border. (Signed)
NEB/MB/JWH/JP
16-Feb-2000 13:44 PM EDT (16-Feb-2000 1844 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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