Lebanese army deploys to three southern pilot zones under US-backed security framework

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The Lebanese army commenced security operations in three southern villages under a US-backed pilot program aimed at facilitating Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament. The initiative represents the first implementation of a security framework approved by the US State Department.

The Lebanese army began assuming security responsibilities in three southern villages on Monday under a US-backed pilot initiative, the State Department said. Operations in Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiya mark the first implementation of a framework aimed at enabling a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah's disarmament.