Lebanese Army deploys in western, central sectors in South Lebanon

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
7 Jan 2025 19:30
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Units of the Lebanese army have started deploying to position themselves in Ras al-Naqoura, Alma al-Shaab, Tayr Harfa, and Beit Lif following the Israeli occupation’s withdrawal.

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Lebanese army soldiers sit on their parked tanks along a road in the southern Lebanese coastal town of Naqoura, on the border with occupied Palestine, on January 7, 2025 (AFP)

Units of the Lebanese army started, on Tuesday, deployment to position themselves in the towns of Ras al-Naqoura, Alma al-Shaab, and Tayr Harfa in the Tyre District and Beit Lif in the Bint Jbeil district, as well as other towns in the western and central sectors in South Lebanon after the Israeli enemy withdrew from them.

A statement issued by the Directorate of Orientation in the Lebanese Army Command said the army is completing its deployment in Naqoura, while the specialized units are conducting the engineering survey necessary to remove unexploded ordnance, open roads, and remove rubble, in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Quintet Committee supervising the ceasefire agreement.

According to the statement, the Lebanese Army's deployment coincides with a regional tour by the head of the committee, the American general, and its two members, the French general and the commander of the South Litani sector in the Lebanese Army.

Meanwhile, the army command called on citizens not to approach the area and to adhere to the instructions of the military units until the deployment is completed.

Yesterday, the Israeli army withdrew from the western sector of South Lebanon in preparation for the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the area. According to the Israeli Kan channel, this marked the first major withdrawal of the Israeli army since the agreement was signed.

In a related context, the Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed yesterday, Monday, to the American envoy Amos Hochstein, the need to "oblige Israel to stop violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon," adding that "the continuation of violations and talk about Israel's intention to extend the 60-day deadline is strongly rejected."

We are bringing this issue to the attention of the countries that facilitated the arrangements and the committee responsible for overseeing their implementation," Mikati stated.