Hezbollah chief says Israel must fully withdraw from Lebanon by 18 February

The head of Hezbollah said on Sunday that Israeli troops must withdraw from Lebanese territory in full by 18 February deadline, saying it had "no pretext" to maintain a military presence in any post in southern Lebanon.

Under a truce brokered by Washington in November, Israeli troops were granted 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon.

That deadline was later extended to 18 February, but Israel's military requested that it keep troops in five posts in southern Lebanon, sources told Reuters last week.

In a recorded televised speech, Hezbollah secretary general Naim Qassem said: "Israel must withdraw completely on 18 Feb, it has no pretext, no five points or other details... this is the agreement."