Gen. Antoine Lahad, commander of the Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army, is on the way to recovery from an assassination attempt two months ago.
But Lebanese terrorist groups are demanding the release of his would-be killer, Suat Bshara, a 21-year-old friend of the Lahad family. She was arrested after shooting the general Nov. 7, at his home in the southern Lebanese town of Marjayoun.
The SLA patrols the southern Lebanon security zone jointly with the Israel Defense Force.
Lahad, 61, was discharged Monday from Rambam Hospital in Haifa and is convalescing at the Dan Carmel Hotel on Mount Carmel.
Bshara, a ballet teacher, belongs to the Lebanese Communist Party, which reportedly ordered the assassination.
She fired a small-caliber pistol at Lahad when he entered the family living room, were she had been visiting with his wife. A single bullet entered his upper right arm and chest, causing serious vascular damage and bleeding.
Bshara is to be tried by an Israeli military tribunal. Terrorists are threatening retaliation if she is punished.
Lahad, meanwhile, must report regularly to the hospital for further treatment. He has a speaking problem, because prolonged use of a breathing apparatus weakened his throat muscles.
But his doctors say he will be able to resume command of the SLA after a period of recuperation and therapy.
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