US explains the reason for Israel’s failure to immediately withdraw from Lebanese territory.
Amos Hochstein, the US special envoy to the region, announced the reason for the 60-day deadline for the presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese soil in an interview with Al Jazeera, claiming: “The reason for this is that the Lebanese army is not yet ready to deploy in all areas [in southern Lebanon].
Regarding the committee monitoring the ceasefire in Lebanon and its members, he also said: “The United States will chair the committee monitoring the ceasefire in Lebanon, and this committee will include France, UNIFIL, Israel and Lebanon.”
Hochstein claimed in an unfounded claim: “We will never allow the southern Lebanon region to be a terrorist infrastructure, and the Lebanese army is responsible for its security and organization.”
He said: “If Israel announces a security violation in the ceasefire, the Lebanese army will immediately verify it and deal with it.”
Hochstein added: “The ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism applies to both sides (Israel and Lebanon).
The US special envoy to the region added: We want to ensure that the Lebanese army has all the resources and equipment necessary to implement the ceasefire.
He said: We will work with the international community to promote Lebanon’s prosperity and support its economy.
Hochstein added: We would like the international community to participate in the reconstruction of Lebanon and investment in its future.
The US special envoy to the region continued: Israel has asked Lebanese citizens to avoid any conflict in areas where Israeli troops are present.
Hochstein concluded: The Lebanese must elect a new president and a new government [as soon as possible].