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MV PAN Israeli troops saluting as Israeli flag is lowered (2 shots)
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GV Israeli troops rush towards vehicles and drive off through smoke flares (2 shots)
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SV PAN Tank passing and soldier saluting
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MV ZOOM IN TO SV U.N. flag hoisted
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Initials BB/0204 TH/DW/BB/0212



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Israeli troops who captured Mont Hermon, the strategic peak on the borders of Syria, Lebanon and Israel, withdrew from their positions on Tuesday (25 June) -- during the last stage of the handover of captured territory to Syria.

The Israelis relinquished their hold on Mount Hermon during an elaborate ceremony. Tanks, armoured troop carriers and infantry from units which captured the mountain, paraded for the flag-lowering ceremony.

For a time, the flag was maintained at half mast while drums rolled and the last post sounded in memory of the 100 Israeli casualties in Mount Hermon fighting during the October War, and the sixteen killed in subsequent artillery battles.

As the Israelis passed in review in their vehicles, throwing out multi-coloured smoke bombs, Austrian United Nations troops prepared to raise the U.N. flag prior to the handover to the Syrians.