The Israeli government announced that "direct negotiations with Lebanon are continuing and include all outstanding issues between the two parties," noting that "the negotiations are examining the issue of the redeployment of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon." She said that "the withdrawal of its forces from southern Lebanon remains linked to a set of conditions," considering that "the disarmament of Hezbollah constitutes a basic condition for any withdrawal, in addition to the deployment of the Lebanese army in the southern regions." She added that "the Israeli army will not withdraw from southern Lebanon as long as the Hezbollah 'threat' continues," considering that "the deployment of the Lebanese army must precede the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the region."