Israeli Military Starts Withdrawing From Lebanon
15 August 2006
The Israeli army has begun withdrawing from Lebanon as the cease-fire with Hezbollah guerrillas in that country is generally holding for a second day.
Lebanese officials say Israeli soldiers have pulled out of Marjayoun, a town they captured last week.
Military chief of staff, Dan Halutz, told Army Radio that the Israeli handover to the new forces could be completed within 10 days.
The Israeli army also said Tuesday that Israeli troops in southern Lebanon killed at least three Hezbollah fighters in two separate incidents.
Meanwhile, thousands of displaced Lebanese jammed bomb-damaged roads to return to their homes.
Earlier Tuesday, the Israeli army said Hezbollah guerrillas fired several mortar and rocket rounds at Israeli positions in Lebanon. No casualties were reported.
In northern Israel, residents emerged from bomb shelters for the first time in weeks. The region was hit by thousands of Hezbollah rockets during the conflict.
Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, says his fighters won a "strategic, historic victory" over Israel.
President Bush, however, says the month-long conflict was a defeat for Hezbollah.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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