Despite their repeated assurances of a quick troop withdrawal from Lebanon, Israeli officials said yesterday they were reluctant to complete the pullout, though six weeks have passed since a cease-fire agreement ended a month of bloody conflict.

Large and small issues remain unresolved, involving Hezbollah and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese army in the border area.

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Security officials say a few thousand Israeli troops are still just across the border in Lebanon. Disagreements about deployment of Lebanese and UNIFIL troops in southern Lebanon have delayed the the final troop pullout, despite the cease-fire that went into effect on August 14, based on Security Council Resolution 1701.

The resolution calls for an international force of 15,000 troops to join Lebanese soldiers in patrolling southern Lebanon to prevent another outbreak of violence. It also mandates an Israeli withdrawal behind the border and requires that south Lebanon be weapons-free except for arms approved by the Lebanese government.

Israel insists this means Hezbollah guerrillas must be disarmed, but neither the UN force nor the Lebanese military is eager to take on the task.

Israel worries that a full-scale conflict could erupt at any time if UNIFIL and the Lebanese army do not take firm control. Hezbollah leaders boast that despite the Israeli offensive, their forces still have thousands of rockets ready to fire.

The concerns also reflect a widespread feeling among Israelis that the government and army failed to achieve their stated goals in the war - decimating Hezbollah and winning release of the captured soldiers. Now Israeli leaders are being extra-cautious in giving a seal of approval to the new arrangements.

Other unresolved issues involve security arrangements for an Arab village that straddles the border, and coordination among UN war rooms that will be set up to communicate with each country's army.