Army has reportedly completed 95% of disarmament plan south of Litani

The Lebanese Army has completed 95 percent of a plan to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani river, official sources told al-Binaa newspaper.

Since a ceasefire was reached with Israel last year, the United States has increased pressure on Lebanese authorities to disarm Hezbollah.

In August, the Lebanese government ordered the army to devise a disarmament plan. Since then, the army has briefed the government twice on the plan but the discussions were kept secret.

The army says the Israeli occupation of five hills in south Lebanon and the near-daily strikes are obstructing its deployment in the south.

Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said Tuesday that Washington is trying to force the country to make concessions to Israel with no commitments offered in return, vowing that Hezbollah will not give up its weapons.

Meanwhile, Egyptian diplomats are willing to mediate between Lebanon and Israel to resolve sticking points and ease the border tensions, diplomatic circles told al-Binaa.

Qassem said Tuesday that there is no danger on the residents of north Israel, urging it to withdraw from south Lebanon and release the Lebanese prisoners.