Mikati says Lebanon ready to deploy 8,000 troops to border if Israel cease-fire reached
The announcement came during an aid conference organized by France to support Lebanon and its civilian population affected by the ongoing Israeli war.
BEIRUT — Lebanon could deploy an additional 8,000 troops to its southern border with Israel, but only if a cease-fire deal is reached with Israel, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Thursday.
"The sequence of the stability equation is first, an immediate cease-fire; second, full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701; third, deployment of 8,000 LAF (Lebanese armed forces) soldiers south of the Litani; fourth, resume the diplomatic efforts to address disputes along the blue line [to] reach a deal that can secure long and sustainable stability in south Lebanon," Mikati said.
The statement comes as Israel's war in Lebanon enters its fourth week, and as the US and France exert pressure to reach a deal. The framework of any deal, including the Lebanese armed forces deployment, is based on UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
The announcement came just as the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty in Paris began, with the aim to mobilize aid for Lebanon and shore up support for the Lebanese armed forces amid the ongoing Israeli war.
