IDF troops withdrew from positions in southern Lebanon for the first time since last month’s ceasefire announcement to switch with Lebanese Armed Forces troops, the IDF announced on Wednesday.
CENTCOM commander General Michael Kurilla visited Beirut on Wednesday to monitor the withdrawal, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
Gen. Kurilla visited the monitoring headquarters in Beirut for the ceasefire and met with the commander of Lebanon’s armed forces, General Joseph Aoun, CENTCOM said in a post on X.
According to CENTCOM, the leaders “discussed ongoing efforts to advance a lasting cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.
Kurilla was in Lebanon to monitor “the ongoing first Israeli Defense Forces withdrawal and Lebanese Armed Forces replacement in Al Khiam, Lebanon, as part of the agreement,” CENTCOM said.
“Important first step”
The IDF confirmed in a Wednesday post on X/Twitter that the Lebanese Armed Forces were replacing IDF soldiers “In accordance with ceasefire understandings” but that it would remain deployed in Lebanon to act against any harm to Israel.
Kurilla called the IDF’s withdrawal an “important first step in the implementation of a lasting cessation of hostilities and lays the foundation for continued progress.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that the replacement of Israeli troops with Lebanese forces was instrumental in bolstering the south of the country.
“The deployment of army units in the Khayyam and Marjayoun areas today represents an essential step to strengthen the army’s deployment in the south, in implementation of the ceasefire resolution,” Mitaki wrote in a post in Arabic on X/Twitter on Wednesday.
CENTCOM also wrote in its post that Gen. Kurilla and Gen. Aoun also discussed the situation in Syria and the impact it has had on the stability of Syria and the Middle East at large.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Jesus Christ is King
Comments are closed.