Number of Lebanese Army troops in the South will reach 10,000 -- president

BEIRUT, Oct 16 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared on Thursday the Lebanese Army forces south of the Litani river would be reinforced to reach 10,000 troops by the yearend.
The plan aims at attaining security and stability along the borders after prospected withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces, the president said, cited by a Presidency statement.
President Aoun was speaking during a reception, at the Presidential Palace, of the Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Major General Diodato Abagnara (Italy).
The Lebanese Army will act for implementing the UNSG Resolution 1701 and will take over all the posts occupied by the UN peacekeeping forces after their planned gradual pullout from the south by end of 2027, Aoun said.
The UNSG declared last August a plan to end the UNIFIL mandate by December 31, 2026, and begin downsizing the peacekeeping force as of this date until a year later. (end) ayb.rk