Special reports: Israel-Lebanon Conflicts   [Video] [Gallery] 
                    Israel, Lebanon agree on ceasefire

A Lebanese Army soldier who has just arrived in a village in southern Lebanon waves to villagers, August 18, 2006. (Xinhua Photo/AFP) Photo Gallery >>>

    BEIRUT, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon continues to deploy its troops on Friday in the south of the country in the fifth day of a ceasefire, taking control of some major towns in the region, witnesses said.

    Lebanese troops arrived at the southern border town of Khiam early Friday, where four UN military observers were killed in an Israeli air strike late July during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

    According to witnesses, the Lebanese army reached the country's border with Israel at Kfar Kila for the first time on Friday.

    On Thursday, eight regiments of Lebanese troops were sent to deploy in the areas south of Lebanon's strategic Litani River, about 30 km from the border with Israel.

    Meanwhile, Lebanese soldiers have already arrived in the Marjeoun barricade, about 8 km away from the border, and the Jwuaya Tibnein area in the south.

    Lebanese troops started to deploy in south Lebanon from early Thursday under a UN resolution which ended the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

    The resolution, unanimously adopted by the Security Council last Friday, also authorizes an increase of the existing UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon to 15,000 troops to help Lebanese troops take control of southern Lebanon as Israel withdraws in parallel.

    Under the deal, Israel is expected to transfer control of its positions in southern Lebanon to the UN force, which will then turn them over to the Lebanese army. Enditem