Clashes continue following Middle East ceasefire

A ceasefire has come into force in Lebanon, following 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

However, there have been reports of skirmishes between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, in which six militants are understood to have been killed.

Four guerillas are reported to have been killed near the town of Hadatha in southern Lebanon, just three hours after the ceasefire came into effect at 8am local time.

Two clashes were also reported later on Monday, with one guerilla believed to have been killed in each one.

Both sides are claiming victory in the conflict, which began on July 12 following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah fighters.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Israeli Parliament that he took responsibility for Israel's military offensive in Lebanon. He said that the ceasefire, which required Hezbollah to end attacks on Israel and required Israel to stop all offensive military operations, as well as withdraw their troops once an international peacekeeping force had been deployed, had ended the "state within a state" run by Hezbollah in the country.

He also pledged to continue to work towards securing the release of the two captured Israeli soldiers.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has distributed leaflets in Lebanon, commenting on its "big victory" in the conflict.

The ceasefire was reached after both Israeli and Lebanon governments approved a resolution from the UN Security Council.

After the ceasefire came into force, thousands of Lebanese citizens, displaced from their homes in the south of the country during the conflict, are reported to be travelling back to their homes.

However, Israel warned that any vehicles travelling on roads in south Lebanon still risked being attacked by Israeli forces.

Israel has also warned that an air and sea blockade of Lebanon would continue and that its troops would retaliate if they came under attack.

Hezbollah said that they would respect the ceasefire, but would resist the presence of any Israeli troops remaining in the country. Israel said that it would begin withdrawal of its troops once Lebanese and international forces began to be deployed to the area.

On Sunday, fierce fighting continued ahead of the ceasefire taking effect. Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon were reported to have continued in the country until 15 minutes before the the ceasefire came into force.

Hezbollah also fired more than 250 rockets into northern Israel. A man was reported to have been killed and at least 91 people are believed to have been injured.

More than 1,000 Lebanese people and more than 150 Israelis - 114 of them soldiers - have died since the conflict began.

(KMcA)