LEBANON: PRESIDENT HRAWI PROMISES SUPPORT FOR GUERRILLA CAMPAIGN

Описание: (21 Oct 1995) Arabic/Nat
Lebanon's President Elias Hrawi has pledged to drive Israel out of the border enclave it has occupied in south Lebanon since 1985.
After winning an unprecedented three-year extension to his term as president, Hrawi openly declared his support for a guerrilla campaign aimed at driving the Israelis out of the 400-square mile zone.
Hrawi spoke as tension was high in the south - the last active war front in the Arab-Israeli dispute - following the killing of nine Israeli soldiers in the last week.
These Hezbollah guerrillas are wearing Israeli uniforms, making them indistinguishable from their enemy.
They are being blessed by one of their spiritual leaders, Sheikh Yazbek, before going off on operations in the Israeli occupied security zone in south Lebanon.
The guerrillas are spearheaded by the Iranian backed Shiite Muslim Hezbollah and operate with the tacit support of Syria, the undisputed power in Lebanon.
Hezbollah's anti-Israeli rhetoric is as strong as ever.
SOUNDBITE: Arabic
"If Israel is aggressive or attempts another invasion of Lebanon as they did in 1982 or 1993, the Israeli soldiers will be sent back to Israel in caskets. They should know that Lebanon is not for tourism."
SUPER CAPTION: Sayed Mohamed Fadlallah, Hezbollah spiritual leader
Lebanese army leader Emile Lahhoud visited government soldiers in the security zone.
Israeli positions are just a few miles away. In an attack by Hezbollah units last week the Israelis lost nine men.
Earlier this week President Elias Hrawi was granted an unprecedented three-year extension to his term and promised to back the guerrilla campaign against Israeli forces in south Lebanon.
SOUNDBITE: Arabic
We will continue to support the resistance of the Lebanese people in south Lebanon, until Israel withdraws its forces. Israel should implement U-N resolution 425 and then if Israel withdraws, then the resistance will be over.
SUPER CAPTION: Elias Hrawi, President of Lebanon
Hrawi's extended term is a boost for Hezbollah supporters and a setback for Israel, which is deadlocked in peace negotiations with Syria.

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