U.N. SEES SUMMER OF PEACE IN SOUTH LEBANON

AS IRAN PROMISES A SUMMER OF WAR AND HEZBOLLAH RELOADS FOR WAR WITH ISRAEL, THE U.N. PULLS ITS HEAD OUT OF THE SAND FOR A MOMENT TO SPRINKLE DAISIES AND PIXIE DUST OVER THE BLOOD-SOAKED EARTH.

UN sees 'summer of peace' for south Lebanon
BEIRUT (AFP) - The UN force in south Lebanon expects a "summer of peace" for the region despite the menace of more attacks on peacekeepers, their commander said in an interview published on Thursday. But he also called for more to be done in clearing the region of weapons.

"We take seriously the possibility of other attacks. We hope the new security measures and the political process will manage to prevent them," said Major-General Claudio Graziano of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Three Spanish and three Colombian-born troops of UNIFIL were killed last Sunday in a bomb attack in southern Lebanon as they patrolled between the towns of Marjayoun and Khiam, about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the Israeli border.

"There are still arms in the south. The Lebanese authorities must do more, with the support of UNIFIL, to secure the region and clear it of weapons," the general told leading Beirut daily An-Nahar. ...

"I think that for the people of the south, this summer will be a summer of peace. And we will be taking care of the problem of terrorist attacks," Graziano told An-Nahar.

"I am sure we are strong enough and that we are in control of the Blue Line," the UN-demarcated border between Israel and Lebanon, he said. "At the moment, I don't see any intention" between the two sides for renewed fighting.