Israel Offers Olive Branch to Lebanon After Troop Withdrawal

Prime Minister Ehud Barak traveled to Qiryat Shemona in northern Israel, a day after withdrawing troops from Lebanon, and extended an olive branch to the Lebanese president, Emile Lahoud, urging him to begin peace talks. Addressing the Israeli Parliament in a local auditorium, Mr. Barak emphasized that Israel has no demands of Lebanon, except to preserve security along their common border. He also expressed the desire for a common future and encouraged President Lahoud to engage in peace talks.

Key Takeaways:

• Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered an olive branch to Lebanon, appealing to President Emile Lahoud to begin peace talks, a day after withdrawing troops from the country.
• Barak emphasized that Israel has no demands of Lebanon, except to strictly preserve security along their common border.
• He called on the Syrian government to support peace talks, as it is the dominant power in Lebanon.
• Residents of Qiryat Shemona expressed skepticism that the withdrawal would bring lasting calm, with many worried about guerrilla attacks from across the border.
• Syrian influence is seen as a major obstacle to peace talks, as negotiations between Syria and Israel to recover the Golan Heights remain suspended.
• Some residents expressed concerns about the potential for violence, with one person predicting that Syria would sponsor guerrilla violence to press Israel into returning the Golan Heights.

Statistics:

• Israel withdrew troops from Lebanon
• 1 day passed since the troop withdrawal
• 0 shots have been fired since the pullout
• 100% of Israel's territory is recognized by the United Nations as part of the international border with Lebanon

Sources:

• The New York Times, [undated]