BEIRUT, November 27. /TASS/. The Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire agreement entered force at 4:00 a.m. local time (2:00 a.m. GMT), in accordance with a joint initiative of the United States and France.
According to the Al Nahar newspaper, the deal comes into force at 2:00 a.m. GMT of November 27. The document envisages gradual deployment of Lebanese military units along all national borders and crossings. In turn, Israel is to gradually pull back its troops to the Israeli-Lebanese border over the next 60 days.
"I view this document as a roadmap for ceasefire and approve this important step towards security and stability in Lebanon," Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said. He also reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and its determination to strengthen the military force in southern regions in cooperation with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
According to Al Nahar, the Lebanese government will undertake the commitment to act against illegal armed groups on its territory and to curb their ability to arm themselves through arms trafficking and illegal production of weapons. All illegal arms production facilities are to be destroyed; all stockpiles of illegally manufactured weapons and ammunition are to be confiscated.
Also, Israel and Lebanon consented to creating a committee to observe implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701. It will also include the United States, France and the United Kingdom.
The United States will facilitate indirect talks between Israel and Lebanon, aimed at settling the existing border issues.