ISRAEL: TROOP WITHDRAWAL AND REFUGEE CRISIS

Описание: (23 May 2000) Natural Sound

As Israel's carefully-planned withdrawal from southern Lebanon threatens to descend into chaos, hundreds of SLA militiamen and their families are trying to flee the country.

The militia has been backed by Israel for 15 years and its members fear retribution from advancing Hezbollah guerrillas.

These people are fleeing for their lives.

At the Metulla checkpoint, on the border with Israel many have gathered, hoping to be able to cross to safety.

The S-L-A, with support from Israel, used to run southern Lebanon.

Now the Israelis are leaving, the S-L-A fear the wrath of those who fought the foreign occupation.

Lebanon's government considers them traitors and says they will be put on trial in military courts.

The militiamen are fleeing, bringing their wives and families with them.

Israel appears to have been wrong-footed by the rapid disintegration of the militia - which has triggered a drastic reduction in the timescale of the operation.

Since Sunday, Hezbollah has been taking over villages and positions abandoned by the S-L-A.

These people probably will be allowed to cross the border.

Israel has been setting up reception camps to receive S-L-A soldiers and their families.

But their long-term future remains very much in doubt.

They are unlikely to be particularly welcome in the Jewish state - but there seems very little chance of them being able to return to Lebanon at any point in the near future.

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