An Israeli official said late on the 26th that US, Israeli and Lebanese representatives signed a tripartite framework agreement in the United States. Under the accord, Israel will continue to station forces in the southern Lebanon area it has unilaterally designated as a "security zone" until HEZBOLLAH is disarmed; the IDF will retain freedom of action across the zone and may act at any time to remove security threats. Israel and Lebanon also agreed that in two areas outside the "security zone"

An Israeli official said late on the 26th that US, Israeli and Lebanese representatives signed a tripartite framework agreement in the United States. Under the accord, Israel will continue to station forces in the southern Lebanon area it has unilaterally designated as a "security zone" until HEZBOLLAH is disarmed; the IDF will retain freedom of action across the zone and may act at any time to remove security threats. Israel and Lebanon also agreed that in two areas outside the "security zone" Israel will withdraw progressively and hand control to the Lebanese army. Israeli and Lebanese authorities had no immediate comment.