JERUSALEM, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States has initiated a pilot plan for a partial Israeli military withdrawal from the "security zone" it holds in southern Lebanon, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported on Friday.
According to the report, the plan includes dismantling Hezbollah by facilitating the Lebanese army to enter areas currently under Israeli control.
Another round of talks between Israel and Lebanon is expected in Washington next week, during which, according to sources, the specific zones for the pilot will be determined, the report said.
It added that although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed earlier Friday that the Israeli presence in the "security zone" would continue "as long as necessary," analyses are already assessing potential withdrawal areas for the U.S.-backed initiative.
The report quoted a senior Israeli military official as saying that the key question is whether the move will lead to a real change in Israel's policy on Lebanon as Israel seeks to crush Hezbollah, a close ally of Iran. ■
