Smith says take Barak at word

Tyre, Lebanon - The Minister for Defence, Mr Michael Smith, said yesterday Lebanon must take seriously a reaffirmation by the…

Tyre, Lebanon - The Minister for Defence, Mr Michael Smith, said yesterday Lebanon must take seriously a reaffirmation by the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ehud Barak, of Israel's intention to withdraw from south Lebanon.

"What Barak says about definite dates for withdrawing Israeli troops from south Lebanon is serious and it must be dealt with on this basis," Mr Smith said in the southern port city of Tyre.

Meanwhile Israeli warplanes attacked suspected guerrilla positions in south Lebanon yesterday, a Lebanese security source said.