The Lebanese army announced today, Wednesday, the beginning of strengthening its deployment in southern Lebanon, after Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced that Lebanon is committed to implementing international resolution 1701 and deploying the army in the south.

According to Agence France-Presse, the army said in a statement that it had "begun to strengthen its deployment in the South Litani sector and extend state authority in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon."

AFP correspondents saw a convoy of an army brigade with armored vehicles, personnel, tanks and trucks crossing a bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon in the morning.