Lebanon marked the sixth anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon on Thursday, amid discussions among political leaders over the fate of Hizbullah's weapons. Hizbullah led a guerrilla war against Israel's 18-year occupation of a border zone in southern Lebanon, which ended on May 24, 2000.
After Israel's withdrawal, the government declared May 25 a national holiday. But this year, the government, dominated by anti-Syrian politicians, decided to cancel the holiday, the AP reported. Schools were closed in southern Lebanon, but schools and government offices remained open in Beirut and other cities.
Hizbullah planned to mark the occasion with festivities Thursday in formerly occupied villages, including a mass rally in the port city of Tyre.
Lebanon's official news agency reported Thursday that the Israeli army went on high alert along the border with Lebanon, especially near the disputed Chebaa Farms area.
