BEIRUT/ANKARA

The head of the Lebanese Army said Friday that Israel’s continued military presence in southern Lebanon is the only obstacle preventing the full deployment of Lebanese armed forces in the region.

Speaking at a gathering in Beirut marking the 80th anniversary of the army, Gen. Rodolphe Helou addressed domestic and regional developments, according to a military statement.

“The army remains committed to sacrifice and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges, especially amid increasing violations and assaults by the Israeli enemy against Lebanon’s sovereignty and security, which have resulted in casualties and widespread destruction,” Helou said.

He noted that the army has carried out a broad and significant deployment south of the Litani River in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) but stressed that Israel still occupies several key positions.

“The Israeli occupation is the only barrier to completing our full deployment in the area. However, residents in the south have shown full cooperation with the army,” he added.

Israel launched a major offensive on Lebanon on Oct. 8, 2023, which escalated into full-scale war by Sept. 23, 2024, leaving over 4,000 dead and nearly 17,000 injured.

A ceasefire deal took effect on Nov. 27, 2024 between Israel and Lebanon, but Israel has since violated the truce more than 3,000 times, resulting in 262 deaths and 563 injuries, according to official figures.

Despite the agreement, Israeli forces have only partially withdrawn from southern Lebanon and continue to occupy five hilltops seized during the last war.

Border security a priority

On border security, Helou said the army’s current focus is on maintaining internal stability, securing borders, preventing smuggling, and confronting external threats.

He confirmed ongoing coordination with Syrian authorities to ensure stability along the Lebanon-Syria border.

The two countries share a 375-kilometer (233-mile) border much of which is porous and riddled with illegal crossings used for smuggling people, goods, and weapons. Clashes in late March resulted in fatalities on both sides.

Domestically, Helou emphasized that the army continues to monitor the activities of terrorist groups and has detained several individuals linked to such networks.

The army’s intelligence directorate, in cooperation with other security agencies, conducts regular raids across the country to dismantle terror cells and prevent their resurgence.

On July 28, Lebanese authorities announced the arrest of a five-member “terror cell.” On Thursday, they revealed the dismantling of a Daesh-linked cell that had been planning attacks against military targets under instructions from overseas leadership.