WASHINGTON: Israel has said it will maintain its military presence in parts of southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed, despite ongoing US-mediated negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese officials in Washington, DC.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told reporters that Israel would not withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon while Hezbollah continues to pose a security threat.
“We will not withdraw our forces from southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains a threat, is not disarmed and demilitarised,” Mencer said.
Commenting on the ongoing talks between Israel and Lebanon, he stressed that Israel’s primary responsibility was to ensure the safety of its citizens, particularly those living in northern areas near the Lebanese border.
“We are making extremely clear that our responsibility is to our northern citizens and to the whole of Israel, and we will not allow any terrorist force anywhere near our border,” Mencer said.
He added that any future redeployment or withdrawal of Israeli forces would only take place after southern Lebanon had been demilitarised and Hezbollah had surrendered its weapons.
“Any redeployment of forces comes after, not before, but after the demilitarisation of southern Lebanon and the disarming of Hezbollah,” he said.
The remarks come as US-backed diplomatic efforts continue in Washington aimed at reducing tensions and addressing security concerns between Israel and Lebanon.