The command of the U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon (UNIFIL) has received a pledge from the Israeli government to halt Israeli air force forays into Lebanese skies as of midweek, the Beirut-based An Nahar newspaper reported Monday.
The report quoted highly informed diplomatic sources as saying the pledge would help defuse tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border that had lately been sharpened by the fall of missile shrapnel from Hizbullah's air defenses on Jewish settlements close to the U.N.-carved Blue Line.
"If Israeli fighter jets stop violating Lebanon's airspace, Hizbullah gunners will not have any targets to fire at. The cessation of such hostilities would be a welcome development that eases border tensions," An Nahar quoted one diplomatic source as saying. However, it added that the Lebanese authorities are still waiting for official confirmation from the UN regarding the Israeli pledge.
Israeli warplanes have routinely patrolled Lebanese skies on reconnaissance missions since Israel ended a 22-year occupation of south Lebanon in May of 2000. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
