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DATE=5/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / LEBANON UPDATE (L)
NUMBER=2-62774
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:
INTRO:   Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is warning 
Syria and Lebanon that he will consider any firing 
into Israel from south Lebanon an act of war.  Mr. 
Barak's remarks came on the same day Israel completed 
its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon and VOA 
Correspondent Meredith Buel has details from 
Jerusalem.
TEXT:  Speaking at a Jerusalem news conference Prime 
Minister Barak said he holds Lebanon and Syria 
responsible for security in south Lebanon. 
Mr. Barak says any cross-border attacks on Israeli 
citizens will be considered an act of war.
            // Barak Act //
      It would be an act of war.  If someone is 
      attacking Israel over its borders and shooting 
      it is an act of war.  No sovereign government 
      will allow salvos of Katyushas (short range 
      rockets) landing in its civilian cities or 
      villages and Israel is no exception.
            // End Act //
Mr. Barak's remarks came on the same day Israel 
completed its withdrawal from south Lebanon, ending a 
military occupation that lasted more than 20-years.
The prime minister ordered an accelerated pullout 
after the collapse of the Israeli-allied South Lebanon 
Army (S-L-A).
Mr. Barak says there are now about six-thousand-five-
hundred Lebanese refugees who have fled to Israel in 
recent days.  Most are former S-L-A militiamen and 
their families.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah (Party of God) guerrillas and 
Lebanese civilians have poured into the former 
occupation zone, celebrating the withdrawal.  
Prime Minister Barak says the Israeli army will change 
its rules of military engagement regarding the 
guerrillas.
            // Barak Act //
      Our only objective is to ensure peaceful and 
      secure life to the civilian citizens along the 
      northern borders.  We will change the rules of 
      engagement.  We will not  open fire on objects 
      or targets on the other side of the border 
      unless compelled to do it under the right of 
      self-defense.  I hope that it will not be 
      needed, but if it is the Israeli defense forces 
      will know how to respond.
            // End Act //
Israel deployed in south Lebanon more than two decades 
ago with the declared aim of halting cross-border 
attacks.
Pulling out of the occupation zone was a cornerstone 
of Mr. Barak's campaign for Prime Minister.
With Hezbollah guerrillas now controlling the areas of 
south Lebanon next to the border, Israelis in northern 
communities are expressing concern for their safety.
Iran provides funds and weapons to the guerrillas, and 
Israel charges that Syria encourages their activities.
Syria has about 35-thousand soldiers in Lebanon and is 
considered the major power broker in the country.   
(Signed)
NEB/MB/PT
24-May-2000 16:19 PM EDT (24-May-2000 2019 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.