Lebanon and Israel concluded a new round of US-mediated negotiations in Rome on Wednesday, agreeing to move forward with the implementation of “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon outlined under a recent framework agreement, a US official said.
“Talks concluded after two days of productive and positive discussions,” the official said, adding that participants “agreed on the structure and guidelines for the pilot zone process, to be finalised and implemented in the coming days.
“The negotiations in the Italian capital followed a framework agreement reached last month after five rounds of talks in Washington, with Lebanese negotiators seeking progress on an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
The agreement aims to end the war in Lebanon through the disarmament of Hezbollah, the deployment of Lebanese forces in the south, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, beginning with two “pilot zones.”
Hezbollah, which has been engaged in fierce clashes with invading Israeli occupation forces in southern Lebanon, has refused direct Beirut-Tel Aviv talks, insisting that Lebanon be included in any wider agreement between Tehran and Washington and demanding Israel’s unconditional withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
