TROOPS AT AKABA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27039, 25 March 1949, Page 5

TROOPS AT AKABA

PALESTINE RESOLUTION NOT VIOLATED BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S VIEW NZPA—Copyright Rec. 10.53 p.m.. LONDON, Mar. 24. The presence of British troops at Akaba does not, in the British Government’s view, violate the Security Council’s Palestine resolution or the present Palestine truce, "according to the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, who points out that the Security Council's resolution called on “ all Governments and authorities concerned ” to order a cease-fire and to undertake not to introduce “ fighting personnel” into Palestine or the Arab States during the truce period. Britain was not one of the Governments concerned in the fighting in Palestine, and the clause was inserted to prevent the movement of Arab armies between the Arab States. The British troops, the correspondent adds, were sent to Akaba only after a request from the Transjordan Government and in accordance with the treaty agreements. Israel-Lebanon Armistice From Tel-Aviv it is reported that an armistice agreement between Israel and the Lebanon was signed this morning at Ras el Nakura Custom House. The agreement fixes the delineation line between the two countries as their international boundary. This means mat Israeli troops will have to withdraw from Lebanese soil, giving up some 14 villages they captured during the fighting. The forces on each side of the line will be limited to 1500 men with defensive equipment. Prisoners are to be exchanged within 24 hours of the signing of the agreement. The head of the Israeli delegation, Modrehai Makleff, said Israel would do its utmost to see that the terms of the agreement were carried out. “ The signing of this agreement marks the end of an unhappy chapter,” he said. “We now hope for an era of peace and happiness for our part of the world.”