Israel to remain in S. Lebanon ´security zone´ despite partial withdrawal deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video statement Friday evening that the Israeli military will remain in the "security zone" it holds in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah does not disarm, reported Xinhua.

The remarks came shortly after Israel, Lebanon, and the United States signed a framework agreement in Washington, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Netanyahu described the agreement as a "major achievement" for Israel, signed after lengthy negotiations in Washington between Israel and Lebanon.

He framed the agreement as a major blow to Iran, which he said had been trying to force an Israeli withdrawal.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that the agreement includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from two areas in southern Lebanon as part of a pilot program.

The two areas are located on both sides of the Litani River, it reported, adding that Lebanese army forces, accompanied by U.S. forces, will move into those areas following the Israeli pullout, Kan said.

The parties also agreed on how to address Hezbollah's tunnels in southern Lebanon, deal with the group's growing strength, and conduct negotiations over the land border between Israel and Lebanon, according to the report.