MIDDLE EAST: ISRAELI/LEBANESE CEASEFIRE UPDATE

(27 Apr 1996) English/Nat A US-brokered ceasefire seems to have halted Israel's 17-day war with Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon. UN officers said the guns fell silent at 0400 (0100 GMT), the deadline set for the cessation of hostilities which have claimed more than 150 lives. Lebanon's government has urged half a (m) million refugees who fled the Israeli onslaught to prepare to return home to the south after the truce takes effect. The ceasefire was announced by US Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who spent seven days in the region to try to get the warring sides to make peace. Christopher set out the terms of the ceasefire agreement after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. SOUNDBITE: "After seven days shuttling in the region I am pleased to announce we have reached an agreement on a new set of understandings to end the current crisis. The carrying out of these understandings will end the Katyusha attacks and protect citizens, civilians, in both Israel and Lebanon, allowing them finally to return to their homes, to leave the air raid shelters." SUPER CAPTION: Warren Christopher, US Secretary of State Shimon Peres hinted that Israel's days in Lebanese territory could be over once certain conditions are met. SOUNDBITE: "If the Lebanese government and the Lebanese army will disarm the Hezbollah and we shall know that there are not two armies in Lebanon but one, and not two strategies but one and there is no two authorities then we do not have good reasons to remain there." SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Prime Minister, Israel But even as the men spoke, Israeli rockets pounded Lebanon, landing on homes in Nabatiyeh village moments after the ceasefire was announced. Israeli tanks stationed on the border were on guard as well as Hezbollah continued to pound northern Israel with Katyusha rockets. Although Lebanon welcomed the ceasefire, it still called for an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. But the Lebanese prime minister insisted his country was committed to the ceasefire. SOUNDBITE: "Surely the final solution and the permanent solution is to see Israel leave our territory and the peace taking place all over the region. We are committed to peace, we know that we will benefit most from the peace but it is not only up to use, it is also up to Israel to decide if it wants to live in peace in this region." SUPER CAPTION: Rafik Hariri, Lebanese Prime Minister In the US, President Bill Clinton gave a press conference at the White House immediately after the truce was announced. He called for all those who helped construct this latest peace initiative to make sure it lasts. SOUNDBITE: "Now this agreement will only last if all those who worked with us to bring it about now work to make sure it succeeds. We must not, and we will not tolerate new attempts to disrupt the calm which has been established at such a terrible cost." SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, President of the United States But critics of the agreement say it may not bring security to Israel. Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire agreement fell short of a move to remove Hezbollah from the region. SOUNDBITE: "I wish I could be optimistic about this arrangement, because there's nothing we want more than peace and tranquillity, lasting peace and tranquillity, for the residents of northern Israel and indeed for the Lebanese citizens on the other side of the border. But I'm afraid that goal has not been achieved." SUPER CAPTION: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli opposition leader Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...