More members of pro-”Israel” militia return to Lebanon

“ Twenty-seven Lebanese, including six members of the former pro-”Israeli” militia who fled with retreating “Israeli” forces on May 24 returned to Lebanon Monday to surrender to the authorities, an AFP correspondent saw.

The militiamen, accompanied by 12 women and nine children, crossed the border at the coastal town of Naqoura, where UN peacekeepers took charge of them and handed them over to Lebanese gendarmes and members of the Lebanese security services.

The men were held for questioning, while their family members were allowed to proceed to their homes in villages of southern Lebanon.

Of the 6,000 or so Lebanese who followed the “Israeli” troops out of the country, for fear of reprisals or ill treatment, some 400 have now returned.

The former militiamen face trial for collaboration with the enemy.

Since the withdrawal, more than 2,200 Lebanese have been detained on charges arising from the 22-year “Israeli” occupation of the border strip.

The Beirut military court has so far issued sentences ranging between three weeks and 15 years imprisonment. One person has received a life sentence in absentia, while dozens have been acquitted.

AFP, 7-8-2000.