M A I N   N E W S

Israel approves Lebanon pullout

JERUSALEM, March 5 (Reuters) — Israel’s Cabinet decided unanimously today to pull Israeli troops out of Lebanon by July and signalled a withdrawal could take place even without a peace deal with powerbroker Syria.

“The Israeli defence forces will deploy on the border with Lebanon by July 2000 and from there will ensure the safety of the northern towns and villages,” a Cabinet statement said, reaffirming policy set by Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

“The government will act to ensure that this deployment will be carried out in the framework of an agreement.”

BEIRUT (AFP): Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Hoss on Sunday welcomed the Israeli Cabinet’s endorsement of plans to end the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon by July.