The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon has reached 5,000 and Israel's withdrawal is "on track," the force's commander said on Wednesday. The comments came a day after Israel's military chief said he expects the army to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Friday. The United Nations force, which is known as UNIFIL and will eventually number 15,000, has been building up its strength as Lebanese army soldiers deploy in southern Lebanon and IDF troops gradually withdraw from the area. "UNIFIL is now at 5,000 strength," Maj.-Gen. Alain Pelligrini said in a statement.