Lebanese army enters southern town after Israeli withdrawal, in first test of US-brokered deal

AI Summary

Following Israeli troop withdrawal, Lebanese army troops have deployed in southern Lebanon's town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh as part of a US-brokered deal. The plan includes confiscating weapons from Hezbollah and phased Israeli withdrawals.

By Maya Gebeily BEIRUT, July 21 (Reuters) - Lebanese army troops began deploying in the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh on Tuesday after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, a senior Lebanese security official said, in line with a U.S.-brokered plan. The plan foresees Lebanese army troops confiscating weapons from the Iran-aligned Hezbollah group in parts of southern Lebanon and phased withdrawals of Israeli troops. The Israeli military said on Monday that the plan, dubbed the pilot zone programme, has begun. It had no immediate comment on Tuesday.