UNIFIL says found 225 arms caches since Israel-Hezbollah truce

The U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon said that since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah it had uncovered more than 225 weapons caches in the south and referred them to the army.

Since the November 27 truce began, "peacekeepers have found over 225 weapons caches and referred them" to the Lebanese Army, the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon said in a statement.

UNIFIL also has a seat on the ceasefire monitoring committee, alongside truce sponsors France and the United States, and the Israeli and Lebanese governments.

"With UNIFIL support," Lebanon's army has "redeployed to more than 120 permanent positions south of the Litani," the peacekeeping force said.

"Full (army) deployment is hindered by the presence of Israeli forces in Lebanese territory," it added.

Israel's military still carries out regular strikes in Lebanon, saying it is targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure.

The ceasefire deal was based on a U.N. Security Council resolution that says Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers should be the only forces in south Lebanon, and that calls for the disarmament of all non-state groups.

Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Monday that Lebanon and Hezbollah had fulfilled their commitments under the ceasefire, and the army has deployed in south Lebanon, "while Israel has not withdrawn, has not stopped its attacks."

President Joseph Aoun said last month the Lebanese Army was now deployed in more than 85 percent of the south and that the sole obstacle to full control across the frontier area was "Israel's occupation of five border positions."

Lebanese authorities have vowed to implement a state monopoly on bearing arms, though Aoun has said disarming Hezbollah is a "delicate" matter that requires dialogue.

Hezbollah, long a dominant force in Lebanon, was heavily weakened in its latest war with Israel.