Calm maintained on Israel's north border

JERUSALEM, June 20 (UPI) -- A senior Israeli army officer says the country's northern border with Lebanon remains calm because of the army's ongoing military presence.

Lt.Gen. Assad Subhi, commander of the Druze "Sword" battalion, told the Hebrew Web site Ynetnews.com his soldiers are deployed along the border up until the "last centimeter." "We are constantly on the move, there is no such thing as a static situation, and the other side is well aware of that," he said.

The situation since the Second Lebanon war in 2006 has improved greatly, Subhi said. The troops are ready and prepared to deal with all scenarios, despite threats by Hezbollah to avenge the death of slain leader Imad Mughniyah, he said.

The situation on the ground on the Lebanese side has undergone changes since the war he said. "We no longer see encampments, armed gun men or even the yellow Hezbollah flags. It is far more challenging because you have to be constantly prepared for anything,"" he told the Web site.

The Druze community in Israel is recognized as a separate religious entity with its own courts and spiritual leaders.