| There. That should do it. |
BEIRUT - The United Nations envoy for southern Lebanon urged Beirut on Thursday to consider how to deploy its forces in the south, where Hezbollah guerrillas often clash with Israeli troops.
Hezbollah currently controls security in the southern border area. Last week the UN Security Council called on Lebanon to extend its military presence to the south, with UN help if necessary, following Syriaâs withdrawal from the tiny country. âThe Security Council has asked for the deployment of the Lebanese Army to the south and I discussed with the foreign minister the need to establish a way of procedures so we can start working together on this very important issue,â Geir Pedersen told reporters.
Pedersen, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annanâs special representative for southern Lebanon, had been meeting new Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh. âWe agreed that obviously it has to be a Lebanese discussion, and then we will follow up on this very important issue,â he said.
âAt this stage it is not fair to give any time or any deadline. So, the important thing is that we have started the discussion and then hopefully, we will be able to move forward together,â Pedersen added.
Last weekâs unanimous council resolution had encouraged Annanâs staff to help Beirut comply.
| Perhaps Mr. Bolton should volunteer us to help the Lebanese control the border. |
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