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Lebanese Troops to Start Deploying to the South


Lebanese troops are to start moving into southern Lebanon on Thursday, as Israeli forces withdraw from the region after a month-long war.

The Israeli army says its has begun handing control of some areas to the U.N. interim force (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon.

The Israelis say their withdrawal will continue and is dependent on the ability of the U.N. force and Lebanese troops to deploy.

On Wednesday, Lebanon's Cabinet approved a plan to send Lebanese troops south of the Litani River. Lebanese officials said the army will not force Hezbollah fighters to disarm, but insisted there will be no weapons outside the government's control.

The U.N. Security Council resolution on ending the Israel-Hezbollah war calls for Lebanon to send 15-thousand troops to the south, alongside up to 15-thousand international peacekeepers.

In Paris, France's Defense Minister, Michele Alliot-Marie said her country is ready to lead an expanded U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

Diplomats from France, Turkey, Pakistan and Malaysia met in Beirut Wednesday to work out the details of the force. They are expected to contribute to the peace-keeping mission. Troop-contributing nations will also meet at the U.N. on Thursday.

In New York, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the war is not over until the U.N. resolution to end the conflict is fully implemented. Speaking to an American Jewish group, Livni said Hezbollah is violating the resolution because it has not released two captured Israeli soldiers.

The resolution calls for the unconditional release of those soldiers.
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