Aoun says war-hit south will participate in May municipal vote
The Lebanese army has been deploying in the southern villages and towns from which Israeli troops have withdrawn as Lebanon is set to hold its municipal elections next month including in the country's south, still suffering from devastation from major Israeli bombings and a ground invasion.
The Israeli strikes have not been halted by a ceasefire reached in late November and Israeli troops remain on five hills in south Lebanon that Israel deems "strategic".
The Lebanese army -- which is set under the truce deal to deploy in the south as Hezbollah fighters withdraw north of the Litani river -- is clearing the southern towns of mines and removing all armed manifestations there, President Joseph Aoun told U.N. peacekeeping mission chief Aroldo Lazaro in a meeting Thursday. "But that would take time," Aoun said.
The President also called for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the five "strategic" hills, as he assured that the municipal elections will take place across the south on Saturday, May 24.
"Preparations are underway to ensure the participation of residents of the villages destroyed by Israel," he said.
Source: Naharnet
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