'There will be another war in the summer'

Six months after a UN-brokered ceasefire ended Israel's war with Hizbullah, scepticism about the role of 10,000 UN troops is growing among the population of south Lebanon.

The scepticism comes amid signs that the militant Shia group is retraining and re-equipping its forces.

The UN troops, deployed to keep the peace and support the expansion of the Lebanese army's authority over the previously Hizbullah-controlled south, are perceived by villagers to be favouring Israel.

"They are not our guests any more," says Hajj Ali, a revered Hizbullah fighter from the large southern town of Bint Jbeil, said. "If they continue to help the Israelis, we will have to take action against them."

Many in the south suspect Israel is trying to create a buffer zone along the border on Lebanese land allegedly captured during the summer war and the UN is assisting them.

That suspicion has furthered the popular perception that the UN forces are in south Lebanon to protect Israel from Hizbullah.

Meanwhile, Hizbullah, Lebanon's largest political party, remains as a much part of the social fabric as ever, and is continuing its military activities along the border.

More than 30 people have been killed and 180 wounded by unexploded bomblets since the war. Recently, in the southern village of Marake, a 16-year-old girl had her leg blown off. Her mother and brother escaped with less serious injuries.

Residents complain of continual Israeli over flights, as well as limited incursions. Earlier this month, a clash erupted when the Lebanese army opened fire on Israeli troops as they crossed the border.