France has put together a proposal for United Nations peacekeepers, including French troops, replace Israeli forces at key points to ensure those forces leave Lebanon by a February 18 deadline, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Thursday.

Lebanese leaders said Beirut was in contact with Washington and Paris to press Israel to fully withdraw from south Lebanon, branding its presence in five points an "occupation" following the expiry

Lebanese leaders said they were in contact with the United States and France to press Israel to fully withdraw, branding its continued presence in five places an "occupation" after a ceasefire deadline expired on Tuesday.