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UN poised to reach 22-year-old aim of deploying throughout southern Lebanon
4 August -- For the first time since it was established 22 years ago, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is able to implement Security Council resolution 425 by deploying throughout southern Lebanon, a UN spokesman announced this morning.

The green light for expanded deployment of the Force was given by Lebanese President Emile Lahoud to UN Force Commmander Major General Seth Kofi Obeng this morning.

In Beirut, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy, Terje Roed-Larsen, lauded this development, calling it a testament to Lebanon's political leadership and its people. "We have reached this stage through months of close cooperation based on mutual respect, painstaking precision and a total commitment to the full implementation of Security Council resolutions 425 and 426," he said.

Pledging to move forward, he said the UN and the Lebanese government would continue to work for peace and security in southern Lebanon. "We will also continue our joint work to mobilize international assistance for the reconstruction and development of the area," he added.

Mr. Roed-Larsen also commended the Government of Israel for its cooperation with the UN, saying it "bodes well for the future."

The main redeployment of UN peacekeepers to several positions near the Lebanese-Israeli border, including points along the withdrawal line, will begin at 6 a.m. tomorrow.

The troops, supported by the Force Mobile Reserve, will move to more than 20 new positions in villages and along the withdrawal line. "The main aim of UNIFIL in the area of operation will be to instil confidence among the local inhabitants," a spokesman for the Force explained.

The expanded deployment will involve about 800 troops, with 35 to 40 peacekeepers occupying each position. Currently, about 150 troops are deployed at six positions along the withdrawal line. Local citizens and others are being asked to report any unexploded devices they come across, according to the Force spokesman.