LEBANON: HEZBOLLAH RE-OCCUPY TERRITORY

Описание: (23 May 2000) Arabic/Nat

Lebanese civilians have continued to sweep back into areas deserted by the Israeli-backed South Lebanese Army.

And more S-L-A weapons have been falling into the hands of Hezbollah, heightening Israeli concerns.

Meanwhile the head of Hezbollah has warned Israel that Monday's killing of six Lebanese civilians amid firing by Israelis and members of the S-L-A was "a very serious matter"

He said his group was still deciding how to respond.

These scenes are being repeated in areas across what had been, until recently, occupied territory.

These people are celebrating the withdrawal of the Israeli army, and the collapse of its S-L-A ally.

The crowds wave not only Lebanese flags, but also those of the main Shiite guerrilla groups Hezbollah and Amal.

Some here are returning after years of exile.

Dozens of villages in the occupied zone have been captured by guerrillas and sympathizers since Sunday without a fight.

The area controlled by the S-L-A militiamen and the remaining Israeli troops has been reduced to about one-third its original size.

The Israeli army abandoned its last major base in the western part of the zone, here, in the town of Bint Jbeil on Monday night.

The second-largest community in the zone, Bint Jbeil was the biggest Shiite Muslim town held by the Israelis and the S-L-A.

Shortly afterwards the Hezbollah supporters began to arrive.

The takeovers mean Islamic guerrillas are now at the border with northern Israel in places.

And equally perturbing for the Israelis - S-L-A weapons have been falling into Hezbollah's hands.

Tuesday's takeovers were peaceful - unlike on Monday, when six civilians were killed and 19 wounded when Israeli and allied militia opened fire in a vain attempt to halt the masses streaming back to their hometowns.

On Tuesday the head of Hezbollah said his group was still considering its response to their deaths.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) (Part Overlaid)
"It's good that Israeli citizens in the northern villages went into shelters last night and I advise them strongly to stay there from now on and I warn enemies and collaborators not to attack our citizens and the civilian population."
SUPER CAPTION: Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah chief

But he said S-L-A members who surrendered would not be mistreated.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) (Part Overlaid)
"Those collaborators who surrendered have been arrested and transferred to the Lebanese authorities to see to it that they receive a fair trial. Not only have we not liquidated them but none of them have even been beaten or hurt. They have been transferred from the liberated villages to safe havens to protect them, trying to distance them from any revenge attacks by citizens returning to their villages."
SUPER CAPTION: Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah chief

And he urged those who haven't yet given themselves up to do so.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) (Part Overlaid)
"Do surrender as soon as possible, go to Lebanese army checkpoints, as the army has already advised, or, alternatively, go to the resistance movement and surrender there. It's up to them. If they come to the resistance they will hand them over to the army."
SUPER CAPTION: Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah chief

Meanwhile the Israeli pull-out continues.

The U-N, which has had its own force in southern Lebanon for many years, is supposed to be monitoring the withdrawal, and helping the Lebanese government regain control here.

But on Tuesday the U-N Secretary General, Kofi Annan, warned that he may have to recommend the force's withdrawal if the situation continues to deteriorate.

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