BEIRUT: A security official reported on Wednesday that the Lebanese army has successfully dismantled “over 90 percent” of Hezbollah’s infrastructure along the border with Israel since the ceasefire in November.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic, informed AFP, “We have dismantled over 90 percent of the infrastructure in the region south of the Litani River.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated in an interview with Sky News Arabia that the army now controls more than 85 percent of southern Lebanon.
The ceasefire agreement reached in November, which concluded more than a year of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, was based on a UN Security Council resolution mandating that only Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers should be present in southern Lebanon.
As part of the agreement, Hezbollah was required to relocate its fighters north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border, and to dismantle any remaining military assets south of the river.
According to the official, much of Hezbollah’s extensive underground infrastructure in the south has been “filled and sealed” by the army.
Additionally, soldiers have strengthened their control over crossing points in the area south of the Litani to “prevent the transfer of weapons from the northern region to the south.”
During a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Aoun remarked that the Lebanese army was “carrying out its duties without any issues or opposition.”
He noted that the only barrier to the complete deployment of troops in the border area was “Israel’s occupation of five border positions.”
Under the ceasefire terms, Israel was supposed to withdraw all its forces from southern Lebanon; however, its troops remain stationed at five locations that they consider “strategic.”
The security official also mentioned that Hezbollah has been cooperating with the army.
“Hezbollah has withdrawn and stated ‘do as you wish’… there is no longer any military (infrastructure) for Hezbollah south of the Litani,” the official said.
He added that most of the munitions discovered by the army were either “damaged” due to Israeli airstrikes or “in such poor condition that they cannot be stored,” leading the army to detonate them.