Netanyahu rules out Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday ruled out a withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon for the foreseeable future.

In a speech, Netanyahu described the “security zone” established by the Israeli military as a barrier between the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and civilians and communities in northern Israel.

Israel would not withdraw as long as its security needs required a military presence there, he said. The Lebanese government, however, considers the area...