Informed Israeli sources reported this morning, Wednesday, that the deployment of Lebanese army forces south of the Litani River will not happen at the speed requested by America, according to what was reported by the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

According to the agency, the sources said: "Washington is demanding the rapid deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River and the establishment of checkpoints."

She added: "One of the points of contention in the negotiations is the date for the start of the Lebanese army's deployment south of the Litani River."

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "The key to restoring peace and security in the north is to push Hezbollah back beyond the Litani River."

Netanyahu vowed a "firm" response to Hezbollah attacks and to prevent the party from rearming again.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib said on Sunday that his country would strengthen the army's presence in the south with additional elements.

Israel has been launching a large-scale attack on Lebanon since the end of last September, as its forces have penetrated into the southern regions and continue to bomb the capital and various cities and towns on a daily basis.

Bou Habib added, in his speech during the Arab-Islamic ministerial meeting in Riyadh: "The Lebanese government has decided to recruit and train about 1,500 soldiers in preparation for sending 5,000 additional soldiers, to join about 4,500 already present in this region."