Lebanon: 15 000 troops ready

2006-08-07 22:08

Beirut - Lebanon is ready to deploy 15 000 troops in the south up to the border with Israel when the Jewish state pulls out all soldiers from the area, said information minister Ghazi Aridi after a cabinet session on Monday.

"The government asserts that it is ready to send 15 000 troops to the south, with the Israeli withdrawal beyond the Blue Line," or Lebanon's UN-drawn border with Israel, he said.

Asked about the military presence of Hezbollah which has been controlling the border area, Aridi said: "Where the army will be, it will be on its own."

- AFP