A Lebanese official said Israeli troops had started withdrawing Monday from some border villages, after Israel's military said it would remain in five "strategic points" hours before a ceasefire deadline to pull out.

Earlier, Lebanon's president voiced concern that Israel would miss the Tuesday deadline under the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, and urged countries to pressure it to honour the cut-off.

"Israeli forces are beginning to withdraw from border villages, including Mais al-Jabal and Blida, as the Lebanese army advances," the security official told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani earlier said that "based on the current situation, we will leave small amounts of troops deployed temporarily in five strategic points along the border in Lebanon".

He said the decision came "so we can continue to defend our residents and to make sure........

© Al Monitor