JERUSALEM/BEIRUT: Lebanon and Zionist entity are discussing a US-backed proposal for Zionist entityi forces to pull out of some of the territory invaded in the war with Hezbollah and hand it to Lebanese army control during talks in Washington, officials on both sides said. The proposed pilot project is being discussed in the latest round of Zionist entity-Lebanese talks, which are going ahead even after they appear to have been eclipsed by Iran’s move to make Lebanon central to its talks with the United States.
Zionist forces have seized a swathe of southern Lebanon during the war that was ignited when Hezbollah opened fire at Zionist entity in a show of support for Tehran, days after the US and Zionist entity launched strikes on Iran. A ceasefire has largely held since Sunday, the longest lull in the fighting yet. But Zionist forces are still deployed deep inside southern Lebanon, citing the need to shield northern Zionist entity from Hezbollah attack.
Zionist Defense Minister Katz said on Wednesday that Zionist entity would not withdraw from southern Lebanon, even if the US demanded it. Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Zionist entity will remain in Lebanon as long as necessary.
The Zionist officials said the Lebanese troops involved in the US-backed proposal would undergo US training and vetting to ensure they are not linked to Hezbollah, while Zionist entity would maintain a military presence in a buffer zone along the border. Asked about the Zionist officials’ comments, a senior Lebanese security official said discussions were ongoing in Washington and that specific military-to-military talks, including on the pilot zones, would take place on Wednesday. — Reuters
