Following a number of postponements, Israel pulled all its forces out of southern Lebanon early Sunday morning. Israel Defense Forces troops still control the northern part of the border village of Ghajar and are likely to remain in positions there until an agreement is reached with the United Nations and the government of Lebanon on the matter.

Israel does not intend to stop overflights of Lebanese airspace, in spite of the withdrawal. It maintains that the overflights are necessary for intelligence gathering and argues that they will not cease until Security Council Resolution 1701 is fully implemented.

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From Israel's point of view, a full implementation of the resolution entails the return of the two abducted IDF soldiers and the establishment of an inspection mechanism that would prevent arms smuggling from Syria into Lebanon.

Subsequent to the IDF withdrawal, Lebanese Army units in armored personnel carriers, trucks and jeeps deployed yesterday along the border, and in villages.

The hundreds of Lebanese soldiers were joyously received by villagers, who lined the streets and threw rice and flowers at the troops driving by.

"The army is most welcome here. It is our protector and our guarantor, we've been waiting a lifetime for it to deploy here," a villager said.

"As the army is entering our village, we feel like we are born again today," another said. "This army is [made up of] our children; we want the wars to end."

The Lebanese army held a ceremony at Labbouneh, a few meters from the border, to mark the Israeli withdrawal during which a Lebanese flag was raised on a post.

The Lebanese Army Commander, General Michel Suleiman, told about 500 soldiers that the army will not allow any attacks from Lebanon that could undermine the cease-fire.

"Stay vigilant to uphold the law and deter whoever undermines the course of security and stability," Suleiman said.

He said that although his army is no match for Israel, it would fight if necessary.

"I call upon you to confront the Israeli aggressions and violations with whatever meager capabilities available," he said.

The final group of IDF troops pulled out from southern Lebanon comprised a force of 200 infantrymen from the Golani and Givati brigades who were deployed along the central front.

The last man crossed into Israel at approximately 2:30 A.M.

The pullout was carried out without any incidents or any attempts by Hezbollah fighters to attack the withdrawing force.

In a statement, the IDF spokesman said the troop withdrawal was carried out "in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and following the deployment of UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] and Lebanese Army forces."

In its statement, the IDF stressed that "it regards the government of Lebanon as responsible for the preservation of security and calm in the area."

The issue of the village of Ghajar has remained central to the tripartite talks between IDF, UNIFIL and Lebanese Army officers.

Israel has recommended that a UNIFIL force hold the northern part of the village, which falls within Lebanese territory, while Israel would continue offering services to the civilians in that part of the village.

Lebanon's Foreign Minister, Fawzi Salloukh, charged that "Israel is looking for trouble in southern Lebanon," because it did not pull out from Ghajar and threatened to take the matter to the Security Council if it was not resolved.

Defense Minister Amir Peretz said on Friday that the IDF would strongly react to Hezbollah provocations along the border, but also urged "responsible action."