Gen. Gustav Hagglund of Finland suggested over the weekend that Israel dismantle the southern Lebanon security zone and let United Nations peacekeeping forces protect Israel’s northern border against infiltrators.
Hagglund, the outgoing commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, contended that Israel could safely make the move because of the strengthened position of the mainstream Shiite militia, Amal, in southwestern Lebanon.
Amal has an interest in keeping the area quiet, Hagglund said in interviews with the news media. The best guarantee that it would maintain order is its knowledge that the Israel Defense Force could re-establish the security zone at any time, he said.
The departing UNIFIL commander will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Lars Erik Wahlgern of Sweden.
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