Lebanese president unveils roadmap to reinforce state authority in south

Beirut [Lebanon], November 22: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday unveiled a security roadmap for southern Lebanon, pledging to deploy the army to the border region once Israel halts violations and withdraws its remaining forces.
Speaking at the army's South Litani Sector headquarters in Tyre, Aoun said the plan would be sent immediately to the "Quintet Committee" -- the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar -- as Lebanon's proposal for stabilising the frontier.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, requires that the area south of the Litani River be free of any armed personnel other than the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers. A ceasefire reached last November between Israel and Hezbollah reaffirmed this, demanding the withdrawal of both Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters.
Each side has since accused the other of violating the agreement, and Israeli troops remain in several positions in southern Lebanon.
Under Aoun's roadmap, the Quintet Committee would verify that only Lebanese forces are deployed in the area between the southern border and the Litani River, Lebanon's largest river.
Aoun stressed, however, that deployment depends on Israel fully withdrawing from all Lebanese territory.
He said Lebanon is ready to enter talks led by the UN, the United States, or other international mediators to secure a permanent end to cross-border attacks, calling the roadmap a step toward sovereignty, stability, and national recovery.
Source: Xinhua News Agency