DOHA, November 27. /TASS/. Lebanon’s government plans to augment the number of troops stationed in the south of the country, near the Israeli border, to 10,000, Defense Minister Maurice Sleem informed Al Jazeera.

"We will expand the Lebanese army presence in the south to 10,000," he told the TV channel.

The minister emphasized that only the Lebanese army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) would operate within the country. "We are committed to fulfilling international resolutions and will defend our sovereignty by deploying the military along the southern border," he declared.

The ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel took effect at 4:00 a.m. local time (2:00 a.m. GMT), in accordance with a US-French initiative. US President Joe Biden stated that the agreements between Israel and Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah movement stipulate that Lebanon's army and state security forces will regain control over the country’s territory within 60 days. Following this, the Israeli military will begin a gradual withdrawal from Lebanon.

The Lebanese authorities will ensure the cessation of illegal armed groups operating within Lebanon and will prevent the smuggling of weapons into the country. Additionally, all unauthorized facilities involved in the production of arms and ammunition will be dismantled, and their stockpiles confiscated. A monitoring committee to oversee the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, approved by both Israel and Lebanon, is set to be established. This committee will include representatives from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Washington will facilitate indirect negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to resolve lingering border disputes.