Israeli warplanes pounded Beirut’s southern suburbs and other parts of Lebanon early today, local media reported.

Israeli warplanes struck suspected guerrilla positions in eastern Lebanon near the border with Syria early today, despite its suspension of air strikes, security officials said.

Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened more rocket attacks on cities in central Israel tonight and dismissed a new diplomatic effort by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, saying the United States wants the fighting to continue.

Syrian special forces joined Lebanese troops today at a Lebanese air base near the Syrian border, and shouted “long live Bashar!” in homage to the Syrian leader, as they prepared for a farewell ceremony marking the end of Syria’s 29-year military involvement with its smaller neighbour.

A senior Lebanese army officer has said 4,000 Syrian soldiers – more than a quarter of those serving in Lebanon just a week ago – are back in Syria, but he said a complete withdrawal is nearly a month away at the earliest.