Israel's Maariv says Haykal 'clown', army statement 'fairy tale'

As the Lebanese army announced it had completed the first phase of Hezbollah's disarmament, a report in Israeli Maariv newspaper claimed that the army's statement was "far from the truth", describing army chief Rodolphe Haykal as "a clown" who would tell his government "fairy tales".

The report, published Thursday, said the Israeli army will have to act to disarm Hezbollah itself.

"The plan (to step in to disarm Hezbollah) has already been prepared, but it has not yet been decided when it will happen," the daily said, adding that Israel's army spokesperson will respond to the Lebanese army statement with photos and videos showing Hezbollah's weapons in south Lebanon.

The report said Israel had intensified diplomacy especially with France and Saudi Arabia, "which have influence and interests in Lebanon and have the ability to influence Hezbollah's disarmament", in order to prevent Israel from having to intervene itself to disarm Hezbollah by force.