Int'l community sets year-end deadline for south Litani disarmament, report says
As the Lebanese government aims to disarm Hezbollah under U.S. pressure, the army is expected to fully clear a stretch along the Lebanon-Israel border, defined as south of the Litani river, by the end of November before moving into further phases, reports said.
The Lebanese government first aimed to completely disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, but officials later said resources are too limited to meet the deadline.
Diplomatic sources told Al Jadeed, in remarks published Tuesday, that the international community will give Lebanon a chance to complete the first phase by the year end. The second phase, north of the Litani, would then start in January.
The sources added that Israel would meanwhile keep up its attacks on Lebanon.
As army commander Gen. Rudolph Haikal briefed Monday the government on its plan to disarm Hezbollah, Israel was carrying out deadly airstrikes in southern and northeastern Lebanon.
Despite a November ceasefire, Israel kept up almost daily attacks on Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah, and also maintained troops in five areas of southern Lebanon it deems "strategic".
Hezbollah has rejected the disarmament plan, saying it won’t discuss disarmament as long as Israel continues to occupy several hills along the border and carries out almost daily strikes.
Source: Naharnet, Associated Press
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