Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has said he will press ahead with plans to divert water from a river that flows into Israel, despite threats of military action from the Israeli Government.

Lebanon's decision to benefit from the Wazzani river's waters to irrigate its parched land and villages in the south is irreversible

President Lahoud

Mr Lahoud said Lebanon was within its rights to use water from a tributary of the Hasbani river, the Wazzani, to supply 20 villages in southern Lebanon.

Earlier this week Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the plan could be a cause for war between the two countries.

The river supplies more than 20% of the water that flows into the Sea of Galilee - Israel's main source of fresh water.

Shortages forced Israel to sign a deal with Turkey last month to provide large quantities of water for the next 20 years.

Lebanon has been lobbying members of the United Nations security council for support in the dispute.

It has received the backing of the Arab League, which in a statement accused the Israelis of "continuing its policy... of entrenching instability in the region".

A US envoy is reported to be preparing a mission to the region to mediate in the dispute, but no time frame has been given for the visit.

International law

Lebanon opened a pumping-station on the River Hasbani in the spring of 2001 to irrigate a drought-stricken village.

It says the plans fall within the amount of water it is allowed to take according to international law.

The area was occupied by Israel until May 2000

"Lebanon's decision to benefit from the Wazzani river's waters to irrigate its parched land and villages in the south is irreversible," President Lahoud said.

"The Israeli threats will not keep international agreements and documents... from being implemented."

The Hasbani rises in Lebanon and flows for about 50 kilometres (30 miles) through its territory before joining the River Jordan and emptying into the Sea of Galilee.

The territory concerned was occupied by the Israelis until May 2000. Lebanon accuses them of tapping the water themselves and leaving villages thirsty.

Israeli Army radio said Mr Sharon had notified the US that any diversion of water would be seen as grounds for war.

Israeli officials have given reminders that Israel went to war in 1964 to stop Syria from diverting the head waters of the Jordan River, near the current Lebanese project.