Former Zionist Prime Minister Ehud Barak considered that Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon led to the emergence of Hezbollah, noting that the withdrawal of the Zionist army in 2000 ended an 18-year tragedy.

Former Zionist Prime Minister Ehud Barak considered that Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon led to the emergence of Hezbollah, noting that the withdrawal of the Zionist army in 2000 ended an 18-year tragedy.

"I am proud of that step which ended the tragedy that cost us over 1000 soldiers," Barak, who led the Zionist cabinet towards the withdrawal in 2000, said.

The Israeli occupation of south Lebanon was not fruitful and failed to protect the settlements from Hezbollah rockets, he added.

Barak said that the Zionist army withdrew in a confused and a hasty manner in order to avoid Hezbollah fire.

What confirms the propriety of the withdrawal decision is that all who opposed it reject to return back to Lebanon, Barak pointed out.