Israel cautiously hopeful on Lebanon

      Israelis welcomed the victory of a Western-backed coalition in Lebanon's elections, expressing hope Monday that the political clout of the Hizbullah had been blunted. Lurking in the background, however, was the fear that Hizbullah might stir up trouble on Israel's northern border in the wake of its electoral defeat. "There was an election in Lebanon and the moderate camp won. This is definitely a positive sign," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said during a Labor faction meeting Monday. "But the real proof will be in the pudding and mainly in the government's ability to enforce order and prevent Hizbullah from continuing military actions in southern Lebanon and throughout Lebanon." "Israel is continuing to monitor developments there and will determine its relations with the new Lebanese government on the basis of these results." (00,13)