Israel says pilot safe zones begin in southern Lebanon

July 20 - The Israeli military said a pilot program for what it calls safe zones in southern Lebanon began on Monday in cooperation with the U.S. military and the Lebanese armed forces.The pilot zones are designated areas in southern Lebanon where a U.S.-brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon signed last month foresees Iran-backed Hezbollah's disarmament, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of Lebanese troops.The Israeli military said teams from the three militaries were coordinating and planning the implementation of the agreement, and warned that it would respond forcefully to any violation.The Lebanese army said on Monday its units were continuing their missions in the southern villages of Froun and Srifa and were coordinating with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon to begin deploying in the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh after Israeli forces withdraw.It urged residents not to enter Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh and to follow the instructions of troops deployed in the area. REUTERS