Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has announced that the country’s armed forces will be deployed up to the border with Israel as part of efforts to establish full state authority across Lebanese territory.
The remarks came during a meeting with Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. military forces in the Middle East. The two sides discussed the ceasefire agreement reached last week between Lebanon and Israel through U.S. mediation.
During his visit, Admiral Cooper also met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Rodolphe Haykal. According to a statement from the Lebanese military, their discussions focused on the latest security developments in Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
Under the U.S.-brokered agreement, the Lebanese Army has been assigned responsibility for implementing security measures, including overseeing the disarmament process involving Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have indicated that their troops will remain stationed in southern Lebanon for the time being. They say the military presence will continue despite the ceasefire arrangement.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel has no intention of occupying Lebanese territory. However, he insisted that Israeli forces would not withdraw “by even one millimeter” until Hezbollah is fully disarmed.
Katz’s comments came on the same day Admiral Cooper arrived in Lebanon, marking the first visit by the head of U.S. Central Command since the ceasefire agreement was signed.
The latest statements highlight the challenges that remain in implementing the agreement, as both Lebanon and Israel continue to outline differing security priorities despite the ceasefire.
