JERUSALEM, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Israel, Lebanon and the United States are expected to sign a framework agreement in Washington soon over the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of southern Lebanon, Israeli media reported on Friday.
The state-owned Kan TV News and Channel 12 News reported that the parties have agreed to implement a pilot program in two areas in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces will withdraw and Lebanese army forces will move in.
In the first phase, U.S. forces will accompany the Lebanese forces to assist in the mission, the channels added.
The reports noted that the Israeli forces would withdraw within the "security zone" they held, not from beyond it, and that the agreement enshrines Israel's continued military presence in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed.
The parties also agreed on how to address Hezbollah's tunnels in southern Lebanon, deal with the group's growing strength, and conduct negotiations over the land border between Israel and Lebanon, according to the reports. Enditem
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