Could Return to Lebanon, Israeli Says
The commander of Israel’s forces in Lebanon was quoted today as saying Israeli soldiers may reoccupy trouble spots in Lebanon for months at a time after a planned withdrawal is complete.
Maj. Gen. Ori Orr said in an interview with the Yediot Aharonot newspaper that Israel’s post-withdrawal defense policy would be aggressive, relying on swift retaliation for attacks against Israeli settlements.
Israel is to complete by Monday the first stage of a three-phased pullout from south Lebanon, which it has occupied since June of 1982.
Orr predicted a resumption of terrorist attacks across the border once the Israeli withdrawal is completed.
“Israeli troops probably will return to parts of Lebanon. It could be that they will return and then go. It could be that they will return for months,” he said.
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