Israel awaits Lebanese response to US-backed cease-fire proposal: Media

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel is awaiting a response from Lebanon on the US-backed cease-fire proposal within a few days, Israel's public broadcaster KAN reported Friday.

An unnamed Israeli official was quoted saying, “Hezbollah will respond to the US outline within a few days.”

Media reports indicated Thursday that US Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, presented a cease-fire proposal to Beirut, although details of the proposal were not disclosed.

The Israeli broadcaster rehashed key points of the US proposal, which it had previously released.

The proposal includes the acknowledgement by both Israel and Lebanon of the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 while maintaining their right to self-defense if necessary.

Resolution 1701, which was adopted Aug. 11, 2006, demands a complete cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel and the establishment of a demilitarized zone between the Blue Line -- the de facto boundary between Lebanon and Israel -- and the Litani River, allowing only the Lebanese army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to possess weapons and military equipment in the area.

The proposal also stipulates that, alongside UNIFIL forces, the Lebanese Army will be the sole armed force in southern Lebanon up to the Blue Line, the media outlet added.

Also, the proposal calls for preventing the rearming of non-state groups in Lebanon in line with Resolution 1701. It emphasizes that any arms sales or production within Lebanon will be under the supervision of the Lebanese government.

The proposal further states that the Lebanese government will grant security forces the necessary authority to enforce the resolution, monitor the import of weapons through Lebanon's borders, and oversee and dismantle any unrecognized weapons facilities or infrastructure violating the terms of the agreement.

In exchange, the US proposal requires Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon within seven days, with the Lebanese Army replacing them. The US and other unspecified countries will oversee the withdrawal.

At a later date, Israel is expected to deploy forces along the borders and crossings.

The broadcaster noted that the US plan also stipulates that within 60 days of signing the agreement, Lebanon must disarm any non-state military groups in southern Lebanon.

Neither Lebanon nor Hezbollah has commented on the Israeli broadcaster's report as of yet.

According to Israeli media, Washington recently proposed a plan requiring Hezbollah to withdraw north of the Litani River, with the Lebanese army deployed in the south.

The proposal also calls for preventing Hezbollah from re-establishing positions in the region and halting the transfer of weapons from Syria to the group.

However, Israel insists to target Hezbollah in Lebanon even after any agreement, a stance strongly rejected by Lebanon.

Hezbollah has emphasized that any indirect negotiations with Israel must be based on two conditions: a cease-fire and the full, undiminished protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Israel launched an air campaign in Lebanon against what it claims are targets of the Hezbollah group in late September, in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare.

Nearly 3,400 people have been killed, over 14,400 injured, and more than 1 million people displaced by Israeli attacks since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel launched an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1 this year.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio