UK, Italy among states considered to verify Hezbollah disarmament – Reuters
Israel and Lebanon have agreed on Britain, Italy, Switzerland and Indonesia as potential contributors to a mechanism that could deploy foreign troops to Lebanon to verify Hezbollah’s disarmament, Reuters reports, citing people familiar with the matter said.
The shortlist emerged from US-mediated talks in Rome last week, the latest negotiations on implementing a June agreement linking Israel’s phased withdrawal from Lebanon to Hezbollah’s disarmament.
The countries could help define the mechanism, provide personnel to oversee it, or send troops to observe or participate in inspections, three sources said. A Lebanese official confirmed Friday that a list had been agreed but said the US would decide which countries participate.
Israel and Lebanon agreed in late June to the US-mediated framework aimed at ending the latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in March when the Iran-backed group attacked Israel following the US-Israeli war against Iran. A source familiar with the talks said discussions were still in early stages but that there was “cautious optimism” they would proceed.
Israel currently occupies a security zone extending 10 kilometers into southern Lebanon and says it will not withdraw unilaterally until Hezbollah is disarmed.
Under the proposal, villages would be inspected for weapons. Israel wants private homes included, but Lebanon’s army has resisted such searches, fearing tensions with Hezbollah. Security officials said warrants would be needed for each home.
A foreign security official said the mechanism must address how and by whom homes would be searched and define foreign troops’ freedom of movement.
The troops’ mandate would likely require a Lebanese government invitation under a framework endorsed by Israel. The US and Israel are unlikely to accept UN involvement, while European nations may oppose oversight by President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.
