Israeli exit from Ghajar is more of a headache for Lebanon

Israel’s plan to pull its troops out of northern Ghajar, is likely to prove more of a headache than a political victory for Beirut, experts say

UNIFIL: Israel is obligated to withdraw from Ghajar

UNIFIL spokesperson Neeraj Singh said on Saturday: “Israel is obligated to withdraw from northern Ghajar and the adjacent region north of the Blue Line according to UN Security Council Resolution 1701.” (more…)

Berri: Resistance is a national need

Lebanon Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri commented on Thursday in a statement about Israel’s decision to withdraw from the northern section of the border town of Ghajar by saying : “The resistance is a national need.” (more…)

UNIFIL: Israel must withdraw from northern Ghajar

National News Agency (NNA) quoted on Friday UNIFIL spokesperson Neeraj Singh as saying ” Israel must withdraw from the northern part of the disputed border village of Ghajar”

His comments comes after media reports said the Israeli mini-cabinet approved last month a plan to withdraw from northern Ghajar. However, the US and the UN said they were unaware of the plan. (more…)

Israel: Hezbollah pushed Lebanon to back off Ghajar deal

The Lebanese government backed off from agreements over the border village of Ghajar most probably under pressure from Hezbollah, political sources told Israel radio.

The sources said, however, that such a move does not create an obstacle to reaching a deal on Israel’s pullout from the northern part of the village. (more…)

UN chief: Israel agreed to withdraw from Ghajar

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said during an interview with An-Nahar newspaper , published on Thursday that that Israel agreed to his recent proposal regarding withdrawal from northern Ghajar , a disputed territory in South Lebanon.

Ban said that he has asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take tangible steps in executing the withdrawal.

Ban voiced hope that Israel would withdraw in the near future ,adding that the UN will keep pressuring Israel to do so. (more…)

Lieberman: Israel, UN are close to a deal on northern Ghajar

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is on an official visit to Madrid said Israel and the UN were close to reaching an agreement regarding the northern village of Ghajar.

“Israel has held five meetings with UN representatives so far. The disputed points are resolvable in a matter that could achieve a positive outcome, ” Lieberman said. (more…)

Israel working to surrender Ghajar to UNIFIL

Israel picked up negotiations over the future of the northern town of Ghajar on Tuesday with the new UNIFIL commander, Spanish Maj.-Gen Alberto Asarta Cuevas, following three rounds of talks over the matter with his predecessor, Italian Lt.-Gen Claudio Graziano, who left his post last month. According to a statement put out by the ministry, the negotiations centered on “civilian issues” that will need to be dealt with if Israel turns over the northern half of the village to UNIFIL. (more…)

UN envoy to meet Israeli DFM Sunday

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon is scheduled to meet Sunday morning with the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Michael Williams. The discussion will focus on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 War, as well as Israel’s planned pullout from the northern half of the village of Ghajar, which straddles the Lebanon- Israel border.

Israeli cabinet undecided on withdrawal from Ghajar

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon told Israeli radio that the Israeli cabinet has not taken a final decision on withdrawal from the northern part of the Ghajar Village.
He added : “Any decision would take into consideration the security and well-being of the residents.”