Hezbollah's chief said Sunday it was the government's responsibility to ensure the Israeli army withdraws from Lebanon by a looming ceasefire deadline, as Israel carried out air strikes in the country.

Hezbollah said on Sunday that Israeli troops must withdraw from Lebanese territory in full by a February 18 deadline, saying it had "no pretext" to maintain a military presence in any post in southern Lebanon.

The head of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah on Sunday issued an ultimatum to Israeli troops to withdraw fully from Lebanese territory. While giving Israeli forces until 18 February to withdraw, Hezbollah stated that it had no reason to maintain a military presence at any post in southern Lebanon.