US opposes Israel’s plan for Lebanon

The US has rejected the idea of ​​a permanent Israeli military presence in Lebanon. Hours earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israeli troops would be stationed in a so-called "security zone" in southern Lebanon.

A US State Department official told Al Arabiya that Washington expects all parties to abide by the framework agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel.

"The US expects all parties to work within the agreed framework. Israel has made it clear that it has no ambitions for Lebanese territory," he said.

Earlier, during a visit to southern Lebanon on Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Katz said, "The Israeli troops are there to stay. He added, “The prime minister and I have made it clear that we are not withdrawing from this safe zone.”

The US-brokered ceasefire framework calls for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory and the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

“A permanent Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon is not consistent with the commitments made in the agreement,” the US State Department official said. “It is also not conducive to long-term peace and security for both countries.” Washington also reiterated its support for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Under the agreement, the Israeli withdrawal will be through a conditional process. This includes a phased redeployment of Israeli troops and verification of the destruction of Hezbollah’s weapons and military infrastructure.

Israel has repeatedly complained that the Lebanese armed forces are not doing enough to destroy Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. On the other hand, Beirut claims that the presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese territory and the ongoing military operation are making it more difficult to establish full state control in the country.

Recently, several experimental areas or 'pilot zones' have been created in southern Lebanon. These areas were previously controlled by the Israeli army or Hezbollah. Now the Lebanese Armed Forces have taken control there.

The US official said, 'The Lebanese Armed Forces are implementing the first phase of the pilot zones and the United States will continue to support the full implementation of this process.'