Netanyahu visits occupied southern Lebanon, says Israel won't leave yet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday visited Lebanese territory occupied by the Israeli military, telling soldiers that Israel would not withdraw from the country's south as long as Iran-backed Hezbollah continued to pose a threat.



It was the first visit by Netanyahu to occupied Lebanese territory since the Israeli and Lebanese governments reached a security agreement last Friday mediated by the United States under which Israel will hand over two areas to Lebanon's army.



"Our insistence is that we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat is removed," Netanyahu told troops, according to a statement released by his office, referring to Hezbollah.



"And as long as Hezbollah remains here, armed and threatening us, we will remain here as well," he said.



Netanyahu, who last publicly visited occupied Lebanese territory in April, was joined by Defence Minister Israel Katz and senior military officials.