Lebanon says army ready to deploy 5,000 troops in south as truce deal 'close'
Lebanon’s caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said Tuesday he hoped a ceasefire to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah would be agreed later on Tuesday.
He said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw, and that the United States could play a role in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes.
The United States said Monday it believes a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah is "close" but negotiations are still ongoing.
"We believe we’ve reached this point where we’re close," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, adding, however, that "we’re not there yet."
Source: Naharnet
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