Speaking to reporters outside the State Department, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leither says Israel will maintain its buffer zone in southern Lebanon until the Lebanese Armed Forces demonstrate that they can dismantle Hezbollah and assume responsibility for security.
Leiter stresses that the deal will not be based on a fixed timetable, but on measurable progress by the Lebanese army in disarming Hezbollah.
Additional “pilot” handovers from the IDF to the LAF will take place as benchmarks are met.
Asked whether Gulf states, France, Italy or other international partners will be used to help secure southern Lebanon, Leiter says it’s too early to discuss that idea.
He says other countries can take part in Lebanon’s reconstruction but only after Hezbollah has been disarmed.
Leiter expresses optimism that today’s agreement will lead to Israel and Lebanon normalizing relations.
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