Israel, Lebanon deny that Israel has withdrawn from part of southern Lebanon

AI Summary

Israeli and Lebanese officials denied reports of Israeli troop withdrawals from southern Lebanon despite U.S. claims of partial pullback as a goodwill gesture. Discussions continue over a U.S.-backed proposal for transferring occupied territory control back to Lebanese forces.

BEIRUT, June 25 (Reuters) - Senior Israeli and Lebanese officials denied on Thursday that there had been any Israeli withdrawal from occupied southern Lebanon, after a U.S. official said Israel had pulled some of its troops back in a good faith gesture toward Lebanon's government. Israel and Lebanon have been discussing a U.S.-backed proposal for Israeli forces to transfer some of the Lebanese territory invaded in their war with Hezbollah to Lebanon's military, in a possible step toward restoring Lebanese control of occupied territory.