Lebanon has appointed a new army chief and heads of three security agencies in an effort to strengthen state authority, particularly in the south of the country, following the war with Hezbollah. The appointments come after the resolution of a two-year political deadlock and the formation of a new government. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel in November, and the new appointments were announced alongside the release of five Lebanese nationals detained by Israeli troops. Lebanon also plans to recruit 4,500 soldiers to increase its military presence in the south.