The Lebanese army said on Saturday it was ready to deploy its forces in the south of the country, accusing Israel of “dragging” in its withdrawal under a ceasefire, a day before a deadline for the withdrawal.
Under the terms of the truce between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect on November 27 last year, the Lebanese army is to deploy alongside United Nations peacekeepers in the south of the country while the Israeli army withdraws during a 60-day period that ends Sunday.
Hezbollah will withdraw its forces north of the Litani River – about 30 kilometers from the border – and dismantle all remaining military infrastructure in the south.
– There has been a delay in several stages as a result of the delay in the withdrawal by the Israeli enemy – the Lebanese army said in a statement, confirming that it is “ready to resume its deployment as soon as the Israeli enemy withdraws”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Friday that the withdrawal of the army would continue beyond the week-long deadline stipulated in the agreement.
– The withdrawal process is conditioned by the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon and the full and effective implementation of the agreement, with the withdrawal of Hezbollah beyond the Litani River – stated in a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
– Given that the Lebanese state has not yet fully implemented the ceasefire agreement, the process of gradual withdrawal will continue in full coordination with the United States – according to a statement from the office of the Israeli leader, reports AFP.
(Vijesti.ba / Fena)
