AP NewsWatch 6:30 p.m. EDT

I'm Ben Thomas with the NAP News Minute.

In Lebanon, officials from municipalities and border villages in the country's south gathered

in Beirut today, accusing Israel of destroying communities south of the Latani river and

calling on the Lebanese government to act.

Karen Chamos is more.

Holding Lebanese flags, protesters rallied in martyrs square, as demonstrators gathered

in large numbers.

Jawa Tkeshman, the mayor of a southern village of Taibi, told the AP everyone is watching

the Israeli systematic destruction of villages in southern Lebanon.

Mohamed Azili from another village, said Israel is demolishing buildings in the south in

order to empty them and pressure Lebanese civilians so they can't return.

He added, we say to the whole world, this is our land.

We want to return to it and we will not abandon it, since agreeing to a cease-fire with

his ballad, the Israeli army has been leveling neighborhoods in Lebanese towns and villages

near the Lebanese Israeli border.

I'm Karen Chamos.

And I'm Ben Chamos.