The United States announced that it is allocating $117 million to support the Lebanese police and army after a meeting of international donors, Agence France-Presse reported.
These funds are intended to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces, which must "guarantee Lebanon's sovereignty throughout the country", a State Department press release states, BTA reports.
The US diplomatic department supported the meeting of international donors on Thursday "with partners and allies to discuss crucial support for Lebanon's security in order to maintain the cessation of hostilities with Israel".
A ceasefire was reached between Israel and the pro-Iranian Islamist movement "Hezbollah" in late November, after more than a year of exchanges of strikes from both sides, as well as the entry of Israeli forces into Lebanese territory since the end of September.
The package, announced today by the State Department, "demonstrates its commitment to continue working with partners and allies to ensure that Lebanon receives the necessary support to strengthen the security of the country and the region".
Today, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon "within the timeframe set" by the ceasefire agreement, AFP recalls. This agreement provides for the deployment of the Lebanese army together with the blue helmets in southern Lebanon and the withdrawal of the Israeli army over a period of 60 days, i.e. by January 26.
Within the same period, "Hezbollah" must withdraw its forces north of the Litani River, about 30 km from the Lebanese-Israeli border.