Israel is seeking another extension of the deadline for the withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon, a Western diplomatic source says, a request that is likely to raise new concerns in a country with a history of Israeli occupation.

Israel has requested to keep its troops in five posts in southern Lebanon until February 28, a Lebanese official and foreign diplomat told Reuters on Wednesday.

Lebanon has rejected a request from Israel for Israeli troops to stay in the Arab country beyond a withdrawal deadline set as part of a ceasefire agreement, according to a Lebanese media outlet.