But an assault by guerrillas, he said, "was not a reasonable risk."
Most of the fighting seen here were incursions by guerrillas in the mountain areas.
Here, as anywhere, refusing demands by guerrillas is considered dangerous.
The town had become vulnerable to attack by guerrillas.
The first Mi-24 to be lost in action was shot down by guerrillas on 18 July 1979.
They had been told that another revolutionary war was going on, led by guerrillas of the dissidents.
Although attacks by Islamic guerrillas have diminished this year, the numbers are still significant.
The Government radio reported that five people were killed and four wounded today in rocket attacks by guerrillas.
He was tortured and killed by guerrillas in the 1970's.
The deal also calls for the release of two Israeli soldiers whose capture by guerrillas sparked the conflict.