Aoun and Menassa discuss army's deployment in south

President Joseph Aoun on Friday discussed the security situations in the country with Defense Minister Michel Menassa.

The meeting also tackled the status of the Lebanese Army’s deployment in the South.

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in effect since November 27 after more than a year of hostilities including two months of all-out war during which Israel launched ground operations.

Under the deal, Lebanon's army deployed in the south alongside United Nations peacekeepers as the Israeli army was supposed to withdraw over a 60-day period that was later extended to February 18. Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Lebanese territory since the agreement took effect.

Israel has kept troops at five south Lebanon locations it deems "strategic" after the Feb. 18 deadline.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has said that Israeli forces would remain indefinitely in what he called a "buffer zone" in south Lebanon.

The ceasefire also requires Hezbollah to pull back north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and to dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.