UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the Israeli Government’s decision to withdraw its army from the northern part of Ghajar, a village that straddles the so-called Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, received by Prasar Bharti in Dubai today, Mr. Ban said the withdrawal of the Israeli Defence Forces from northern Ghajar would be an important step towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. Resolution 1701 brought to an end the conflict that took place between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah four years ago. It also calls for respect for the Blue Line, the disarming of all militias operating in Lebanon and an end to arms smuggling in the area.