The Lebanese army began deploying today (Tuesday) in the village of Zaoutar al-Gharbiyeh in the Nabatieh area after Israeli forces withdrew from the location. A senior Lebanese security official told Reuters the Lebanese forces entered the village as part of the start of implementing the pilot program in southern Lebanon.
According to reports in Lebanon, Lebanese army forces entered the village, and engineering teams are working to sweep the streets and locate explosive devices and remnants left in the area. The Lebanese army confirmed that military units had begun deploying to the area and called on residents not to come to the village until the security situation stabilizes.
The move comes as part of pilot zones in southern Lebanon designed to test implementation of the understandings, which include a phased Israeli withdrawal, deployment of the Lebanese army, and transfer of security responsibility in designated areas.