Date:15/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/15/stories/2006081503781400.htm

International

Lebanese head for home

Atul Aneja

Israel, Hizbollah claim victory

DUBAI: Thousands of Lebanese citizens displaced by the month-long war were heading home as the ceasefire between Israel and Hizbollah took effect on Monday morning.

There were traffic jams on the road leading towards Sidon, Lebanon's second largest city which is the gateway to the south.

The war had displaced thousands of people from the war zone — an area stretching from the border till the Litani river, 35 km inside Lebanon. A large number of the displaced had moved to Beirut or the Shouf mountains, not far from Sidon.

However, the movement to the southern villages could become hazardous as Israel was still barring people from returning south of the Litani. It has also continued to maintain a naval blockade and an air embargo, severely restricting Lebanon's external linkages. Besides, Israel said its forces would retaliate if they were attacked.

In northern Israel, where residents have faced a heavy barrage of Hizbollah rockets, few have ventured out of their homes.

As the ceasefire came into force at 5 a.m. (GMT), both Hizbollah and Israel claimed victory in the war. In Beirut, Hizbollah distributed leaflets congratulating the people of Lebanon on their "big victory".

It thanked citizens for their patience during the conflict. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Hizbollah no longer remained a "state within a state" after the war.

The ceasefire has so far mostly held, but the chances of violence still remain high, as Israeli troops begin their withdrawal from areas where Hizbollah forces still maintain a formidable presence.

U.N. force

The estimate of the deployment of 30,000 Lebanese and U.N. forces to replace them varies from a month to a few days, opening the possibility of renewed fighting during this period.

The logistics of the deployment of the Lebanese forces have also not been finalised, leading to a heated debate inside the Lebanese establishment. Analysts point out that Hizbollah would impede any moves that could lead towards its disarmament at this stage.