Report: Govt. to launch diplomatic campaign to press Israel to withdraw, end violations

The Lebanese government intends to launch “a broad and intensive diplomatic campaign in international forums with the aim of pressing Israel to honor its pledges that were mentioned in the ceasefire agreement in terms of its full withdrawal from Lebanon and the complete halt of its attacks,” informed sources said.

“The Lebanese side is practically implementing the pledges it had committed itself to as part of this agreement, and the Lebanese Army is doing all its duties in this regard,” the sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Friday.

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.