US envoy says Israel should 'comply' with Lebanon plan to disarm Hezbollah

Top US envoy Thomas Barrack said on Monday that Israel should comply with a plan under which Hezbollah would be disarmed by the end of the year in exchange for a halt to Israel's war with Hezbollah.

The plan sets out a phased roadmap for armed groups to hand in their arsenals as Israel's military halts ground, air and sea operations and withdraws troops from Lebanon's south.

"There's always a step-by-step approach, but I think the Lebanese government has done their part. They've taken the first step. Now what we need is Israel to comply with that equal handshake," Barrack told reporters in Lebanon after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Barrack described the cabinet decree as a "Lebanese decision that requires Israel's cooperation" and said the United States was "in the process of now discussing with Israel what their position is" but provided no further details.

Under phase 1 of the plan, the Lebanese government would issue a decision committing to Hezbollah's full disarmament by the end of the year and Israel would cease military operations in Lebanese territory.

But Israel has continued strikes against Lebanon in the weeks since the cabinet approved the plan.