ARABS-UN - June 26 - Peacekeepers Cite Border Infractions.

UN peacekeepers cite several violations by Israel of the new border with Lebanon, prompting the Security Council to call on all parties to end infractions quickly. At issue is a new UN-drawn line, based on 1923 borders, that cartographers marked to verify that Israel had complied with 1978 resolutions and had fully withdrawn its troops from southern Lebanon. (Israel announced its withdrawal on May 24 and UN Secretary-General Annan and UN peacekeepers earlier June verified it did so. But border violations continued.) In a closed-door video conference to council members from Geneva, Annan calls the infractions low-level violations that should not change his findings that Israel had withdrawn.

Nevertheless, a report to the council by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL), lists 7 complaints against Israel, one of which it deemed invalid. The council's statement says: "The Security Council members welcome proposals by the secretary-general to bring about an end to the violations of the withdrawal line reported to the council by UNIFIL and reiterate its call upon the parties to respect the line". Of the other 6 complaints by UNIFIL, 4 involve short sections of patrol tracks that went into Lebanese territory but could be used by Israeli troops to reach their posts. But 1 complaint concerns soldiers in trenches on Lebanese territory with a tent on the Israeli side.

Another says there were Israeli machine-gun posts and some observation equipment left on Lebanese soil. UNIFIL also says the Israeli Defence Force had been asked to construct alternative routes to its sites. Diplomats say Annan told the council that Israeli PM Barak was serious in attempting to solve all remaining problems since Israel withdrew from Lebanon after a 22-year old occupation in the south to ward off guerrilla attacks. But according to the envoys he was not sure all elements of the army were as committed. Diplomats report Annan had suggested to Barak during his recent visit to Israel that a high-ranking officer be assigned to make sure local commanders do not cross the new so-called "blue line".

(Lebanon is supposed to move its army to the area evacuated by Israel, paving the way for a redeployment of UNIFIL to the border region.) The Security Council's statement says Annan intended to appoint a senior representative in Beirut to deal with issues concerning south Lebanon. No name is given. French ambassador Jean David Levitte says: "We are waiting for a green light from the government of Lebanon because they want to be sure there are no violations of the blue line before they agree to the redeployment of UNIFIL in the south", adding: "So really, it is a matter of hours or days, I hope".