US ambassador says deadline important for north Litani disarmament
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa said Monday that a “deadline” is “the most important thing” for the issue of removing weapons north of the Litani River, after the Lebanese government said the army would submit in February a weapons monopolization plan for that region.
“Hopefully they will start quickly and finish quickly as well,” Issa told MTV in response to a question.
The Lebanese Army announced Thursday that it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah -- in the area south of the Litani River, near Israel’s border. Israel called Lebanon’s efforts an “encouraging beginning” but noted they are “far from sufficient” and has since intensified its strikes north of the Litani River.
Under U.S. pressure and amid fears of expanded Israeli strikes, Lebanon has committed to disarming the Iran-backed militant group, which was weakened by more than a year of hostilities with Israel including two months of all-out war that ended with a November 2024 ceasefire.
Despite the truce, Israel has kept up regular strikes in Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites and operatives, and has maintained troops in five south Lebanon areas it deems strategic, accusing the group of rearming.
Source: Naharnet
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