U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers, the Chairman of the Cessation of Hostilities Implementation “Mechanism” accompanied Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) officers today to visit LAF checkpoints in south-west Lebanon, according to Naharnet.
LAF 5th Brigade assumed full control of this area last week immediately after Israeli forces withdrew. Lebanese soldiers are now “in the process of making roads and villages safe for residents to return home," according to a statement of the US Embassy in Beirut.
Jeffers observed Lebanese soldiers "monitoring roadways to provide security and prevent the movement of unauthorized armed groups in accordance" with the ceasefire agreement.
Jeffers further noted that "LAF checkpoints and patrols operate effectively throughout south-west Lebanon, and the soldiers are dedicated to their mission as Lebanon’s sole security guarantors. Their presence created a sense of security and stability which will be important for the civilians who will soon resume normal activities in the area.”
He ended by saying that “We are on a very positive path to continue the withdrawal of the IDF (Israeli army) as planned, and the LAF is providing for the security and stability of Lebanon."
Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that if the Lebanese Army does not fully adhere to its role to demilitarize southern Lebanon and if Hezbollah does not stay entirely behind the Litani River, then the ceasefire will be null and void and war will return.
Furthermore, while Lebanon has insisted that the IDF withdraw entirely from southern Lebanon by the end of the 60-day period of withdrawal stipulated in the ceasefire agreement, other reports point to Israel seeking to hold at least three unoccupied but dominant hills across the border, where they can observe movements in southern Lebanon and shield Israeli towns from attacks.
The new Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have both insisted on disarmament and complete Israeli withdrawal.
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