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Last Updated: Tuesday, 20 September 2005, 09:12 GMT 10:12 UK
Two held on Israel-Lebanon border
UN peacekeepers in Lebanon
UN peacekeepers are liaising between the two sides
The Israeli army has detained two Lebanese men in the Shebaa Farms area where the borders of Israel, Lebanon and Syria meet.

United Nations peacekeepers said the two were shepherds, who had strayed across the UN-demarcated border line.

Lebanese police said that an Israeli patrol had crossed the line and kidnapped the men.

An Israeli army commander said the men would be handed back if they were found to be unconnected with terrorism.

Brig-Gen Gal Hirsh said the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah had in the past sent intelligence agents into the area disguised as shepherds.

The official Lebanese national news agency identified the men as Riyadh Hashem, 40, and Hussein Zahra, 15.

The small mountainous area was captured by Israel from Syria in the 1967 war, but it is now claimed by Lebanon with Syria's backing.

The United Nations has however, certified that Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon is complete and the Shebaa Farms is Syrian territory occupied by Israel.


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