Israel won't let Hezbollah return to south Lebanon

Lebanese refugees carry their belongings in Jedeidet Yabus, 40 km west of Damascus as they return from Syria to Lebanon yesterday. Hundreds of Lebanese refugees braved a bombed-out road as they returned home in their cars or on foot following UN-brokered truce that took effect yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

"We will operate with the utmost determination against a regrouping of Hezbollah in south Lebanon," Peretz told members of his Labour party before a parliament meeting.

"Aside from localised incidents, the ceasefire that entered into effect this morning is being respected," he said, warning that Israel would react to any violations of the truce by Hezbollah.

He spoke after the Israeli military said that its forces had killed two Hezbollah fighters in separate incidents near the strategic Litani River after the ceasefire took effect.

"If Hezbollah violates the ceasefire and the established rules, we will act with determination," Peretz said.

Peretz said that Israel would not reoccupy south Lebanon, from which it withdrew six years ago after 18 years of war and occupation.

"We have no intention of getting bogged down in the Lebanese quagmire," Peretz said.

He also defended the war effort, saying it would result in greater security for the Jewish state.

"The successes scored by the Israeli soldiers and the manner in which the principles of the UN Security Council resolution were fixed, will without a doubt contribute to a change in the situation on the northern border," he said.

"The fact that south Lebanon will be demilitarized, the fact that Hezbollah will be forced to leave from the important zones that it controlled, all this will contribute to a return of calm to our northern border.

"We have begun making contacts with Unifil to start the transfer of control on the ground," he said, referring to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.

He also said the war could have a positive effect on the region.

"The fact that extremist elements have been considerably weakened reinforce moderate elements in the region," he said.

"I hope that this process will enable negotiations with the Lebanese government and will reestablish dialogue with the Palestinians," he said.

Meanwhile, two UN aid convoys were heading to the southern port city of Tyre yesterday after Israel halted its attacks on Lebanon, the first such delivery of aid southwards for several days.

Two convoys of 24 trucks were carrying medical supplies, sanitary goods, food and water for the city, which has been virtually cut off from the rest of the country by Israeli bombardments, the United Nations said in Beirut.

The convoy, organised by the UN World Food Programme (WFP), left from the city of Sidon further north just minutes after the cessation of hostilities came into affect at 0500 GMT, it said.