New Delhi, June 19 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon, despite a recently announced US-Iran agreement that calls for an end to fighting on all fronts and respect for Lebanon's sovereignty.

Speaking on Thursday, Netanyahu said Israel would continue to hold its self-declared security zone inside Lebanese territory.

"We will restore security and prosperity to the communities of the North," Netanyahu said.

"This requires maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon; it requires that we do not withdraw from there as long as Israel's security needs demand it."

His remarks came as Israel published a map showing an expanded military control zone in southern Lebano...