Defence minister: Israel to keep troops in southern Lebanon

Israel has said it has no intention of withdrawing its troops from a security zone in southern Lebanon, despite growing international criticism and pressure, according to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz.

Speaking during a ceremony marking the start of construction of the new Jewish settlement of Doran in the West Bank, he said Israel has no intention of leaving the security zone, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media. 

“We have no intention of leaving the security zone. This will trigger a barrage of international criticism, but we have no intention of backing down,” Katz said. “In Lebanon, we have reached Beirut, but that’s not all. We are blowing up tunnels and systematically destroying terrorist targets in villages near the border [with Israel]."

By Sabina Mammadli