Israel said on Wednesday that its forces will not withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah's weapons have been dismantled, even as the two countries hold US-brokered talks in Washington.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said: "We will not withdraw our forces from southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah poses a threat, has not been disarmed, and has not been stripped of its military capabilities."
Both Israeli and Lebanese officials denied that any Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon had taken place, after a US official said Israel had pulled back some of its forces from the area.
An Israeli defence official said Israel's policy is clear and that the army will not withdraw from what is known as the buffer zone in southern Lebanon, while a Lebanese military official said Israeli forces are maintaining firm control over the buffer zone to prevent anyone from approaching it, including Lebanese army troops.
The US administration had revived hopes for negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, expressing appreciation for progress made in the talks and saying the two sides were close to signing a letter of intent. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: "I believe we are very close to achieving our hopes of obtaining a letter of intent between the two countries."