Israeli forces had been due to pull out next week but the source told the BBC Israel wanted its military to stay in five positions there for another 10 days, till 28 February. The ceasefire deal that ended 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah was brokered by the US and France and came into force on 27 November.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called Wednesday on Israel to withdraw from south Lebanon according to the set deadline, his office said in a statement. Aoun "has repeatedly stressed on Lebanon's insistence on the complete withdrawal of the Israeli enemy within the deadline set for February 18,