By Alexander Cornwell, Tala Ramadan and Jana ChoukeirTEL AVIV/DUBAI June 24 (Reuters) - Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.

According to Isaac Herzog, this aspect of the talks is of great concern for Israel and it conveyed its concerns to the US side with regard to that fact

By Alexander Cornwell, Tala Ramadan and Jana ChoukeirTEL AVIV/DUBAI June 24 (Reuters) - Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern…

Tehran says Lebanon peace is as important as peace in Iran

Defence minister says troops are not withdrawing even though Tehran sees end to conflict in Lebanon as part of any deal with US

US secretary of state says negotiations would allow Lebanon’s army to gradually secure areas free of Hezbollah; CENTCOM chief visits Israel for talks on Iran and the northern front