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The US State Department has published the full text of the 14-point framework agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon in Washington. Previously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the signing of this agreement between Tel Aviv and Beirut.
The second clause of the published document states that the governments of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to follow a phased implementation process. Under this process, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will gradually establish effective state control over the entire territory of the country.
However, a significant condition has been imposed for the implementation of this initiative. According to the agreement, the disarmament of non-state armed groups active in Lebanon must be ensured, and their military infrastructure must be completely dismantled.
The agreement further states that after the disarmament process is completed and verified, Israel will also gradually withdraw its troops from Lebanese territory.
The relevant authorities have stated that the detailed information of other clauses of the agreement will be released sequentially.
Although a ceasefire is in effect, both Israel and Hezbollah are accusing each other of violating the agreement, and isolated attacks are also occurring in the border areas. However, the intensity of clashes has decreased recently.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called this agreement a significant first step towards re-establishing the country’s sovereignty.
On the other hand, after the signing of the agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli troops would not be withdrawn from South Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed. Currently, Israeli forces control approximately 5% of Lebanese territory.
Netanyahu further added that the Lebanese army would be given the opportunity to take charge in two areas experimentally. One of these is located south of the Litani River, and the other is north of the river.
Source: Al Jazeera