no hunting in the south.

I like the conclusion

but I feel distaste towards the process.

=====
Army bans hunting south of Litani following Israeli complaints about noise
By Mohammed Zaatari
Daily Star staff
Tuesday, October 28, 2008

SOUTH LEBANON: The Lebanese Army Command on Monday issued a statement banning hunting south of the Litani River in a show of full commitment to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. “According to Resolution 1701, the area located south of the Litani River should be free from any armed presence, except for the Lebanese military and security forces as well as UN soldiers,” said the statement.

The statement called on the Lebanese people to abide by the Army Command’s decision, vowing to arrest violators and refer them to the judiciary.

But at least some hunters in South Lebanon were highly critical the move.

Hunter Mohammad al-Mahmoud told The Daily Star on Monday that forbidding hunting was an “unjust and meaningless” decision.

“This decision affects hunting lovers and gun sellers,” he said. “If the sound of hunting arms along the border region disturbs residents of the Israeli settlements, then it is an Israeli issue. We are just practicing a hobby we have been enjoying for a very long time.”

Recent media reports have said that Israelis have been complaining about the sound of shots made by dozens of hunting weapons along the border, and that Israel fears that some of the hunters might be Hizbullah members.

The UN forces have also complained of their inability to distinguish hunters from Hizbullah fighters, as both come fully armed, according to the reports.

Environment Minister Tony Karam said over the weekend that hunting was not illegal but added that the hunting season had not yet begun.

“The opening of the hunting season will be declared when all administrative elements are completed,” Karam said during a news conference on Saturday.

“We are late. The season should be opened normally from September till January,” he said, adding that hunting would be restricted to four or five species.

According to a source at the Environment Ministry, a decision to delay the opening of the season was taken because of a change in the migration pattern of some bird species that overfly Lebanon en route to warmer climates where they spend the Northern Hemisphere winter.

“Once the season opens, we will distribute awareness brochures that will help hunters detect the types of birds they should target,” Karam said.

“Security forces will be extremely strict in applying the law and whoever breaks it will have his weapon confiscated and be required to pay a fine.”