WASHINGTON: Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement at the US State Department on Friday after talks mediated by the United States to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
The ambassadors of the two countries put their signatures on the trilateral document. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the agreement marks the start of a process.
He said the United States would set up a trilateral Military Coordination Group for Lebanon and provide 100 million dollars in humanitarian assistance through the United Nations. Rubio added that the US would allocate more than 30m dollars to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in establishing control across Lebanese territory.
Positions on disarmament and withdrawal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal permits Israeli forces to remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms. The agreement includes two pilot zones where Israeli troops would withdraw to allow the Lebanese army to take control.
Lebanese officials described the agreement as a step toward restoring sovereignty. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said Iran and Hezbollah would leave the picture.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah stated that Lebanese authorities could not enforce the agreement without conflict and that the group would keep its weapons.
Israeli forces issued leaflets in the southern Lebanese town of Mansouri ordering residents to leave the area, which Israel controls as a security zone. Violence continued after the ceasefire, with Israel reporting strikes on Hezbollah members.
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