The sixth round of talks between Lebanon and Israel concluded this Wednesday in Rome with progress on the mechanism for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from two initial pilot zones in southern Lebanon and the subsequent deployment of the Lebanese Army, as reported by the National News Agency (NNA).
According to the ANN, which cites the Italian agency Agenzia Nova and sources close to the negotiations, both delegations agreed to hold a new meeting to continue the dialogue, although there is no defined date yet.
The withdrawal from these two zones was already provided for in the framework agreement reached on June 26 in Washington. The meeting in the Italian capital focused on specifying the sequence and conditions for implementation.
The negotiations included the timetable for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the evacuated areas, the disarmament of the terrorist group Hezbollah, and the verification mechanisms to ensure the control of Lebanese state institutions over the area.
According to the ANN, the contacts allowed for progress, particularly regarding the mechanism that will regulate both the Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese armed forces in the south.
More Read
We recommend reading:
The negotiations included the timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the evacuated areas, the disarmament of the terrorist group Hezbollah, and verification mechanisms to ensure the control of Lebanese state institutions over the zone (Europa Press/Archive)
The meeting coincided with statements from the Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, who maintained this Wednesday that the United States “has begun to listen” to the Lebanese authorities and that the country’s situation “is now on the U.S. president’s desk.” Aoun defended the “framework formula” promoted by his Government as “the best possible,” assured that it is already showing results, and reiterated that Lebanon will not yield on its rights. He expressed confidence that the process will help end the violence in the south and facilitate an Israeli withdrawal.
More Read
The meetings in Rome, held between Tuesday and Wednesday, were technical and organizational in nature to advance the implementation of the Washington agreement.
Lebanese authorities anticipate further meetings in the Italian capital and other locations to oversee compliance with commitments.
For its part, the United States described the negotiations in Rome as “productive and positive,” according to a senior State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The conversations concluded after two days of productive and positive debates”, indicated the source, as reported by the news agency EFE.
The State Department official anticipated that there will soon be “broader technical conversations” with a view toward a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
