STORY: Lebanese army to assume full responsibilities in S. Lebanon after Israel's withdrawal: PM
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 23, 2024
DATELINE: Dec. 24, 2024
LENGTH: 0:02:02
LOCATION: Beirut
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the visit
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): NAJIB MIKATI, Lebanese Prime Minister
3. various of citizens welcoming the PM
4. various of the border town of Khiyam

STORYLINE:

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Monday that the Lebanese army will carry out its full duties in southern Lebanon after Israel withdraws from the area.

"We have many tasks ahead of us, the most prominent of which is the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from all the lands it penetrated during its last aggression," Mikati said from the army barracks in Marjeyoun, the first stop on his southern tour, according to a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic): NAJIB MIKATI, Lebanese Prime Minister
"At that time, we can declare how the Lebanese army has achieved its duties. The army was never lazy in performing its duties. You officers and soldiers are executing your jobs. You are now facing an exam and I am completely sure you will pass it."

Mikati also visited the headquarters of the eastern sector of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the town of Ibl al-Saqi, stressing the priority of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

A ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, went into effect on Nov. 27, aiming to halt nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The terms of the ceasefire agreement include Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory within 60 days, with the Lebanese army deploying on the Lebanese-Israeli border and in the south, taking over security there, and banning any presence of weapons and militants.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut.
(XHTV)