Over 1,000 Lebanese Killed by Israeli MinesA total of 1,167 people were killed and 1,546 others injured by Israel-planted landmines in south Lebanon during its 22-year occupation, according to Lebanese military sources.The figures were disclosed by Lebanese Demining Office (LDO) in a statement on a U.N.-sponsored international conference on clearing landmines in south Lebanon, which was held in Beirut on Monday. Since the Israeli withdrawal last May, 15 people have been killed and 99 others wounded by landmines in south Lebanon, said the statement. The statement said the casualties were "considerable high" in view of Lebanon's population of some 4 million. "The mines dotted around houses, farmland, roadsides and abandoned Israeli positions are threatening local people as well as reconstruction and development there," it said. LDO said that Lebanon was planning to launch a nationwide drive to promote people's awareness of the threat imposed by landmines, urging the international community to help clear remaining landmines in Lebanon. Lebanon and the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) accused Israel of not providing precise mine maps. UNIFIL, which has begun clearing landmines since last July, said that it will take about 20 years to remove all remaining mines at present pace. Israel planted about 130,000 mines in 1,500 mine fields in south Lebanon over the past years. |
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