Lebanon is preparing to deploy army units to model zones in southern Lebanon under U.S. observer supervision in the coming hours, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. Simultaneously, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri rejected the 14-point framework agreement, calling the 1983 May 17 Accord preferable.
Lebanon is preparing to deploy army units within 'model zones' under U.S. military observer supervision, according to Asharq Al-Awsat citing a ministerial source. The zones — in Frun (Bint Jbeil district) and Zawtar al-Gharbiya (Nabatieh district) — lie outside the security belt Israel maintains pending Hezbollah disarmament. U.S. Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper is expected to arrive from Jerusalem with observers tonight to facilitate the deployment, the report adds.
Separately, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri rejected the 14-point framework agreement with Israel in an interview with An-Nahar, calling the 1983 May 17th Accord 'preferable.' He argued the framework grants the Israeli military excessive maneuverability while blocking southern residents from returning and accused President Joseph Aoun of bypassing constitutional consultations. Berri warned against street protests and said Amal Movement ministers will attend cabinet sessions to confront the issue constitutionally. He insisted the only realistic mechanism for a complete Israeli withdrawal lies in the American-Iranian negotiation track.
As The Zioneer reported earlier today (07:47), Berri had already warned the framework was '10 times worse' than the 1983 accord, warning it could lead to internal strife. Hezbollah has reportedly postponed escalation pending Iranian ceasefire efforts and insists the framework is 'irrelevant' to it. The deployment plan was modified to exclude Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Arnoun, and Yahmar al-Shaqif — the report says because Israel refused to evacuate positions fortifying Shaqif Castle.
3 developments
- DevelopingIsrael and Lebanon discuss US pilot plan for handover of southern Lebanon territory
- DevelopingIDF Questions Implementation of Israel-Lebanon Framework, Says No Withdrawal Orders Received
- DevelopingLebanese Parliament Speaker Berri: Shia parties reject Israeli 'pilot zones' in US proposal
- DevelopingLebanese delegation proposes over 10 'test zone' formulas for security deal; Israel rejects all
Source and signal
- Internal intake