Beirut, Lebanon ? The Israeli army began handing over positions to the U.N. early today, stepping up its withdrawal from southern Lebanon after the Lebanese government agreed to deploy troops near Israel’s border for the first time in 40 years.

The Lebanese Cabinet decision fell short of agreement on disarming the Shiite Muslim militant group, which has insisted it has the right to defend Lebanese territory as long as Israeli troops remain in the country.

More than 50 percent of the areas Israel holds has been transferred to the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL, the Israeli army said, adding the process would occur in stages and would depend on a stronger U.N. force as well as “the ability of the Lebanese army to take effective control of the area.”

The Lebanese army has been assembling north of the Litani River, 18 miles from the Israeli border, and was to cross this morning. The cease-fire plan calls for the 2,000-member U.N. force to increase to 15,000 and to be joined eventually by an equal number of Lebanese to assume control as Israeli forces withdraw.

French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said France was willing to lead the enlarged U.N. force until at least February. But she expressed concern that the force’s mandate was “fuzzy” and said the peacekeepers needed sufficient resources and a clear mission to avoid a “catastrophe.”

The U.N. resolution passed Friday authorized the peacekeepers to use force “to ensure the movement of aid workers and protect civilians in imminent danger, among other situations.” But France has been demanding a more specific mandate, including when it may use firepower.