US envoy: Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon tied to Lebanese army strength

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Hackabee said Israeli forces will remain in Lebanon until the Lebanese army is strong enough, noting that Israel does not wish to stay in Lebanon or annex any of its territory.

Hackabee told Al Arabiya that Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory depends on the Lebanese army reaching a level of strength and capability that enables it to fulfill its role, linking any Israeli pullout to the capabilities of Lebanon's military.

It is worth noting that an agreement between Lebanon and Israel was signed on June 26, following five rounds of direct negotiations brokered by the United States. The deal stipulated the disarmament of Hezbollah, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas in southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army starting in designated "pilot" zones.

The Middle East conflict spread to Lebanon on March 2 after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei. Israeli strikes have killed more than 4,300 people, the Lebanese authorities announced at the time.