The Hizbollah movement has said that it is ready to fight Israel, if it does not withdraw from a disputed area in South Lebanon along the Syrian border. The head of Hizbollah's political bureau said that the group was committed to securing the return of the Shebaa Farms district, which it claims is Lebanese. Israel, which says that the land is Syrian, retained control of it after withdrawing from the rest of the region earlier this week. The threat by Hizbollah could hinder United Nations efforts to establish security in South Lebanon in the wake of the withdrawal.
Both Syria and Lebanon have said that they will support the United Nations role in helping to restore security in Lebanon. This follows the Israeli military withdrawal from the south of the country. Last night, the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, appealed to the Lebanese government to avail of the opportunity for peace. However, the Hizbollah movement, whose forces have now taken over much of South Lebanon, said earlier that the struggle against the Israelis will go on unless Hizbollah prisoners are released.
