S Lebanon villages still without aid

Israeli soldiers escort a Lebanese civilian (R) living in Israel to the Lebanese-Israeli border at Métula in an attempt to negotiate passage for family members blocked in Lebanon with United Nations forces Saturday. PHOTO: AFP

"It is surprising to find villages very damaged (by Israeli bombardments) that have not received visits from humanitarian organisations," said Philippe Royan, head of the European Commission's office of humanitarian aid.

Royan was speaking after a six-day tour of Lebanon, and said that while aid organisations had flocked to the country, they were operating "without coordination".

He said that in the south, which bore the brunt of Israel's month-long offensive, the lack of water and electricity was keeping people from returning home and resuming their lives.

"Their supply is essential for the return and stabilisation of those forced from their villages," he said.

"Many come back during the day to assess the damage but set out again at night to sleep elsewhere," he added, saying that this was stalling the region's economic recovery, especially in the agricultural areas.

Royan also said he wished to see more demining work done in the area, which is littered with thousands of unexploded munitions.

"It is absolutely necessary to defuse (the unexploded bombs), or at least work to mark them," he said.

At least 11 people have been killed and 47 wounded by exploding cluster bomblets since the truce began, and rights groups warn of a humanitarian crisis as thousands of refugees return to homes infested with the deadly munitions.

European Union member states have earmarked more than 100 million euros (127 million US dollars) for assistance to Lebanon.

Meanwhile, a key US legislator said in Israel yesterday he would block aid President George W. Bush promised Lebanon and free the funds only when Beirut agreed to the deployment of international troops on the border with Syria.

"The international community must use all our available means to stiffen Lebanon's spine and to convince the government of Lebanon to have the new Unifil troops on the Syrian border in adequate numbers," said Tom Lantos, the ranking Democrat on the US House of Representatives' International Relations Committee.

Lantos said he was putting a legislative hold on Bush's proposal to provide $230 million in aid for Lebanon in the aftermath of the 34-day war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas.