Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said today that his troops would remain in southern Lebanon for months, Israel Radio reported.

Halutz made the remarks as reacting to an observation presented by an army intelligence officer who told parliament's foreign affairs and defense committee that it would take months for a large contingent of the U.N. force to arrive in southern Lebanon, according to the radio.

"Israel will leave forces in Lebanon until the multinational force arrives, even if it takes months," Halutz said.

A UN-brokered cease-fire in Lebanon took into force at 0500 GMT on Monday morning following both Israeli and Lebanese approval.

On Friday, UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for Israel's withdrawal and authorizing an increase of the existing UN force in Lebanon to 15,000 troops to help Lebanese government troops take control of south Lebanon as Israel withdraws.