Lebanese Army to deploy planned pilot program securing Hezbollah-free zones, sources tell ‘Post'

A pilot program is set to begin soon, deploying Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) troops into designated areas of southern Lebanon. The objective is to verify that these zones are cleared of Hezbollah operatives and weapons, according to two sources familiar with the matter. This development stems from recent discussions held in Rome between Israeli and Lebanese delegations, facilitated by senior US administration officials.

Following the Rome meeting, an Israeli official indicated that an agreement had been reached on two specific pilot areas. The official described the discussions as constructive, reinforcing a mutual understanding between Israel and Lebanon regarding the necessity of disarming Hezbollah. The pilot areas are intended to test Lebanon's capacity to exercise its sovereignty practically, by implementing agreed-upon conditions through the LAF under US supervision.

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The pilot areas will serve as a test of Lebanon's ability to exercise its sovereignty in practice by implementing the agreed-upon conditions through the Lebanese Armed Forces, under the supervision of [the United States].

In parallel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington. Their discussions focused on implementing the trilateral framework agreement between the US, Lebanon, and Israel. President Aoun stressed the importance of alignment between Lebanon and the US on the framework's implementation, particularly concerning the withdrawal of Israeli troops from designated pilot zones in southern Lebanon. He also emphasized the need for US support in strengthening the Lebanese military and investing in the country's infrastructure.

According to Aoun's office, Rubio stated that full Lebanese sovereignty "can only be achieved by a Lebanese decision issued by the Lebanese constitutional institutions." The initiative aims to enhance security and stability in southern Lebanon while asserting Lebanese governmental control over the region.

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full Lebanese sovereignty “can only be achieved by a Lebanese decision issued by the Lebanese constitutional institutions.