Israeli envoy demands Lebanon accept IDF presence

Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, has publicly demanded that Lebanon accept the Israeli military's presence on its soil. Speaking at the opening of talks with a Lebanese delegation at the White House, Leiter stated Lebanon must recognize the IDF's temporary presence and Israel's right to defend itself. He accused Lebanon of failing to meet its commitments to dismantle Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure, which he identified as the core issue. The remarks underscore the contentious nature of ongoing US-brokered negotiations between the two countries.