Troops Still in Lebanon, Israel Admits

Israel admitted Sunday that it has not withdrawn totally from Lebanon despite assurances that it would complete its pullout during the first week in June.

“We are still there,” Cabinet Secretary Yossi Beilin said in answer to a question. “The fact is that the IDF (Israel Defense Force) is withdrawing from Lebanon. When and exactly how will be explained by the IDF itself.”

Prime Minister Shimon Peres had said Israel would be out of Lebanon by last Thursday, the third anniversary of its invasion.

While informed sources last week said the pullout had virtually been completed, U.N. spokesman Timor Goksel said units of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon had “confirmed” four Israeli positions in the south and three mixed positions of Israelis and their allies, the South Lebanon Army.