Lebanon army accuses Israel of ‘procrastination’ in ceasefire withdrawal

The Lebanese army on Saturday said it was ready to deploy its forces in the country’s south, accusing Israel of “procrastination” in its withdrawal in time for a deadline the following day.

“There has been a delay at a number of stages as a result of the procrastination in the withdrawal from the Israeli enemy’s side,” the army said in a statement, confirming it was “ready to continue its deployment as soon as the Israeli enemy withdraws”.

The army urged people to “be cautious in heading back to the southern border areas, due to the presence of mines and suspicious objects left behind” by Israeli forces.

Under the terms of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire that came into effect on November 27, the Lebanese army is to deploy alongside United Nations peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army withdraws over a 60-day period.

Hezbollah is to pull back its forces north of the Litani River — about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border — and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Friday said the military’s withdrawal would continue beyond the Sunday deadline stipulated by the deal.

“The withdrawal process is conditional upon the Lebanese army deploying in southern Lebanon and fully and effectively enforcing the agreement, with Hezbollah withdrawing beyond the Litani River,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.

“Since the ceasefire agreement has not yet been fully enforced by the Lebanese state, the gradual withdrawal process will continue in full coordination with the United States.”