GV People queue on Beirut side of bridge.
GV PULL BACK TO LV & GV Smoke rises into air after explosion. (2 SHOTS)
GV ZOOM TO SV Military truck on road.
GV Civilians wait to use Awali River. (2 SHOTS)

(1.13)
PD/JRS

Background: Israeli military forces closed the Awali River bridge on January 5 following an explosion in nearby Sidon.Reuters said one soldier of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) was slightly injured following a blast which occurred as a tank and a half-truck vehicle were passing.Smoke from the explosion rose as high into the air above the town.The road, en route to Kfar Fallous, was believed to have been used by Israeli patrols.However, other unconfirmed reports spoke of up to six soldiers killed and several others injured in the area.Israeli forces withdrew from positions south of Beirut to the Awali River on September 4, 1983, a distance of 45 kilometres (28 miles).Recent Israeli government statements said its troops would hold their positions at the strategic Awali River until a total withdrawal from Lebanon could be carried out.