Israeli forces will leave southern Lebanon by Friday in time for the Jewish New Year, army chief Dan Halutz told parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee yesterday. Halutz said "he hoped the last troops will leave southern Lebanon by the eve of Rosh Hashana (which takes place on Saturday)," a member of the panel said. Israeli forces have remained in Lebanon after the month-long war against Hezbollah ended on August 14, and have been gradually withdrawing as international forces and the Lebanese army assume control. Halutz was also quoted as saying that officers planned to meet UN representatives in southern Lebanon on Tuesday to discuss the handover of the remaining territory where Israeli troops are still based. According to the army, troops have so far pulled back from over 80 percent of the territory it once controlled, and are currently concentrated in a narrow strip along Lebanon's border with Israel.