Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem has said that moves to disarm the group in Lebanon are an "Israeli-American plan", accusing Israel of failing to abide by a ceasefire agreement sealed last year.

Under heavy U.S. pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, the Lebanese military is expected to complete Hezbollah's disarmament south of the Litani River -- located about 30 kilometers from the border with Israel -- by the end of the year.