Annan Announces Full Israeli Compliance With 425

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan declared today in a press conference at the United Nations that Israel has withdrawn from Lebanon in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 425, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese government announced on Thursday the formation of a force of 500 soldiers and 500 police officers to be deployed in South Lebanon. To strengthen the Lebanese government's grip on the country, a growing number of U.S. Congressional officials and pro-Israeli groups are calling for more vigorous U.S. action to end Syria's presence in Lebanon. Ned Walker, Assistant Secretary of State on the Middle East, told a special meeting of the Senate Foreign Affairs subcommittee that the Clinton administration hopes for change in Lebanon without having to resort to "negative action." Walker added that the United States hopes that in the wake of Assad's death, the new Syrian leadership will give up its presence in Lebanon, sever its ties with terrorism, and negotiate a peace agreement with Israel.

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara said in an interview on Lebanese television late last week that "Syria's presence in Lebanon is definitely temporary. Nobody can imagine that Syria's presence, that is the military presence in Lebanon, is permanent." Al-Shara's statements were prompted by a campaign waged by opponents of Syrian military hegemony in Lebanon.

According to Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, Lebanese newspaper A-Naar reported today that seven Lebanese citizens were injured in South Lebanon in clashes between Amal and Hizbullah terrorists. The scuffle followed arguments between members of the two organizations regarding, among other issues, the hanging of pictures of their respective group leaders.