Report: US Accelerates Deployment of Lebanese Army in Southern Lebanon
A source in the Lebanese government told the newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" that the United States insists that the Lebanese army deploy in the areas of Froun and Ghandouriya in the Bint Jbeil region, as well…
Assessment
The United States is pressing Lebanon to deploy its army in specific southern areas before July 11, the date set for renewed U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad. The demand appears designed to signal to Iran, and through it to Hezbollah and Amal, that Washington is moving to separate the Iranian diplomatic track from the Lebanese arena. The Lebanese source indicates this is not a one-time deployment but could expand to additional towns. The key question is whether the Lebanese military can or will meet this accelerated timeline.