Israel, however, said this week that it would keep its troops in five locations near the border, after having accused the Lebanese army of not deploying the required troops quickly enough. Israel sees Lebanon unable to guarantee security in the border region where it fears that the Lebanese Hezbollah militia could resume its attacks on Israeli residents.

Israeli forces have pulled out from towns and villages in southern Lebanon but remain in five locations along the border in what the Lebanese government describes as a violation of a ceasefire deal. Tuesday marked the end of the deadline for the Israeli withdrawal from the country,

Lebanese leaders said they were in contact with the United States and France to press Israel to fully withdraw, branding its continued presence in five places an "occupation" after a