Beirut: The administration of US President Donald Trump issued an unprecedented criticism of Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz after he said the Israeli military would remain in southern Lebanon within "security zones," Russia Today reported. A US State Department official said Washington expected all parties to abide by the agreed framework, noting that Israel had previously made clear it did not seek to occupy Lebanese territory.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, "Any permanent military presence in southern Lebanon is inconsistent with the framework commitments and with the long-term peace and security of both countries," the official said. The statement said Katz's remarks contradicted previous Israeli assurances that it had no territorial ambitions in Lebanon and undermined diplomatic efforts to establish regional stability.
It reaffirmed full US support for Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty, adding that the US-brokered framework provided for a conditions-based gradual redeployment linked to the verified disarmament of Hezbollah and dismantling of its infrastructure. The statement also praised the Lebanese Army's implementation of the first pilot zone and reaffirmed continued US support for the process.