Lebanon Demands Israeli Withdrawal from South Lebanon

Lebanon’s delegation in talks with Israel in Washington DC has demanded the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, while Israel is awaiting concrete steps against the Hezbollah group, Al Hadath television reported citing US sources. According to the report, Israel wants guarantees from the Lebanese Army that it can dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure. The source said that differences over the mechanism for withdrawing Israeli forces from Lebanon remain the main obstacle in the negotiations. Israel insists that the Lebanese Army must first be deployed in the strategic area of the Ali al-Taher ridge in the southern part of the country before Israeli troops are withdrawn. In addition, the Lebanese military is also being asked to search for tunnels built by Hezbollah. The fifth round of talks between Israel and Lebanon began in Washington DC on Tuesday.