Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday from southern Lebanon that his forces would remain there as long as Hezbollah "poses a threat."
Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office: "Our position is clear: we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat is gone. As long as Hezbollah is here, armed and threatening us, we will stay here."
Addressing his soldiers, he said: "Thanks to what you are doing, Lebanon recognises Israel and Israel recognises Lebanon, and we say to Iran and to Hezbollah: leave this place, you have no place here anymore... There are two sovereign states that want to live in peace."