Lebanon to Test Israeli Intentions Regarding Withdrawal from Ghajar
Representatives of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL will meet Wednesday to discuss arrangements for withdrawal of Israeli troops from the border town of Ghajar, particularly since U.N. peacekeepers will take charge of the area following the pullout.
Lebanese official sources told pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat that Lebanon is expected to raise a number of questions about Israel”s intentions regarding Ghajar.
The sources said Lebanon expects the answers to be sent via UNIFIL.
They said among the questions Lebanon raised were the population problem concerning kinship between the residents in the northern part of Ghajar and others in the southern area.
Another problem is water and electricity. While Ghajar obtains its water from Lebanon, it gets electricity by power lines from Israel.
The sources said Lebanon has not yet received word from UNIFIL about an Israeli withdrawal from the Lebanese part of Ghajar, adding that a pullout depended on Israel”s desire.
The Lebanese delegation would also raise a question about the nature of the transition phase the northern part of Ghajar will be going through following the Israeli withdrawal.
Other questions deal with the problem and the role of Lebanese authorities over the territory in the wake of an understanding that U.N. troops would assume responsibility in Ghajar.