Israel hints it wants to keep forces in Lebanon past the ceasefire deadline
Israel may seek to delay pulling all of its troops out of southern Lebanon, which would violate the terms of a ceasefire it reached with Hezbollah.
An Israeli government spokesperson said Thursday that Israel wants the ceasefire agreement to endure, however he hinted that the Lebanese army wasn't deploying fast enough to secure areas.
"There is movement but it is not moving fast enough,” said David Mencer.
Under the ceasefire deal from November, Hezbollah and Israel are both supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon by Sunday to allow the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers to provide security.
Israel's military also said Thursday it was still finding Hezbollah arms caches in southern Lebanon, including rockets, rifles and ammunition.
Hezbollah said Thursday that any delay in Israeli forces' withdrawal from southern Lebanon “would necessitate a firm response from the state.”
Hezbollah had warned it could resume rocket and drone fire if Israel failed to withdraw on time. However, in a statement on Thursday addressing these reports, the group called on the Lebanese state to take action in response to potential violations.
“We call on all parties, especially the Lebanese political authorities, to exert pressure on the countries sponsoring the agreement to ensure the final days of the deadline are monitored effectively,” Hezbollah said in a statement.
Source: Associated Press
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/310617 |