Baghdad: Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Heikal stressed that the continued presence of Israeli occupation forces in positions inside Lebanese territory constitutes the primary obstacle to the completion of the Lebanese Army’s deployment along the border and the consolidation of the ceasefire.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Heikal pointed to the repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon and its violation of national sovereignty, explaining that the occupation is seeking to create pretexts to expand its hostilities.

He stressed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing UN Resolution 1701, noting that the Lebanese Armed Forces are making intensive efforts in the south, as confirmed by both the command of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the five-member committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement.