Beirut: Heavy fighting in southern Lebanon stopped abruptly after a UN-brokered ceasefire came into effect.
Security sources in south Lebanon said Israeli air strikes and artillery fire continued until just a few minutes before the truce took effect at 0500 GMT. Then there was silence.
However, reports say that Israeli troops shot dead a Hezbollah guerrilla after he opened fire on Israeli troops in southwest Lebanon, in the first reported clash since the ceasefire began.
A military spokesman, who declined to say whether the gunman had been killed, said, "We will continue to defend our forces acting in the area," adding that the man was among an armed group which approached the army position.
Thousands of Israeli troops remain in southern Lebanon, and are not expected to withdraw fully until an international peacekeeping force arrives alongside Lebanese troops.
Israel said some soldiers began pulling out of Lebanon after the truce began. "There are forces going out but there are enough forces that are staying," a military spokesman said.
There were no reports of any Hezbollah rockets being fired at Israel after the truce took hold.
Thousands of Lebanese displaced by the war headed south, some to check damage to their houses, others hoping to return home for good. Hundreds of cars jammed a narrow road leading south from Sidon.
"I'm so excited to see my home. I'd heard news it was completely destroyed, but even if there's one room intact, I will stay there with my children," said Sanaa Ayyad, carrying a baby while two young boys followed her.
Israel maintained that its ban on unauthorised traffic in southern Lebanon would remain in place, and that any vehicles on the roads risked attack.
