Netanyahu confirms Israel to stay in Lebanon beyond 60-day period

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday confirmed that Israel will keep its army in south Lebanon beyond the 60-day deadline mentioned in the ceasefire agreement, accusing Lebanon of not fully implementing its part of the arrangements.

“The outline for the ceasefire in Lebanon stipulates that the IDF's (Israeli army’s) phased withdrawal is to be implemented within 60 days. The clause was worded this way with the understanding that the withdrawal process may continue beyond 60 days,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

The army’s withdrawal process is “conditional on the Lebanese Army deploying in southern Lebanon and fully and effectively enforcing the agreement, while Hezbollah withdraws

beyond the Litani. Since the ceasefire agreement has not yet been fully enforced by the State of Lebanon, the phased withdrawal process will continue, in full coordination with the United States,” the statement added.

It stressed that Israel will not accept to “endanger its communities and citizens, and will insist on the full implementation of the goal of the fighting in the north: the safe return of residents to their homes.”

Al-Arabiya TV meanwhile reported that caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has “called the Americans, warning against Israel’s failure to withdraw from south Lebanon.”

“Mikati has asked the Americans to intervene to guarantee the implementation of Resolution 1701,” Al-Arabiya said.