A Lebanese official source said Sunday that Lebanon will attend the upcoming round of talks with Israel in Rome, scheduled for July 24-25. The source noted that the talks are proceeding without Hezbollah's consent, and the group is reportedly angered by the development.
Lebanon confirmed on Sunday that it will participate in the next round of talks with Israel, scheduled for July 24-25 in Rome, according to an official Lebanese source. The source added that the talks are proceeding without Hezbollah's consent, and the group is reportedly angered by the development. The new detail marks the first indication of Hezbollah's reaction to the diplomatic track.
The July 24-25 date represents a shift from earlier reports. On July 11 at 20:18 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Lebanon had confirmed participation in Rome talks, with the delegation composed solely of diplomats. That report followed a July 9 report in which The Zioneer noted that Lebanon intended to demand a binding timetable for the IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Earlier, on July 7, The Zioneer reported that Lebanon had rejected a proposal to move the talks to Rome, insisting the venue remain in Washington. The fifth round of border talks had been held in Washington on June 22, as reported on June 13.
The talks are part of a broader diplomatic effort involving the US and France, which have been pressing for an Israeli withdrawal from five tactical positions in southern Lebanon, as The Zioneer reported on June 19. The Lebanese delegation is expected to focus on the IDF withdrawal issue, with the previous round in Washington including military officers.
It remains unclear whether Hezbollah's opposition will translate into any practical obstruction of the talks. Additionally, the date shift from July 15-16 to July 24-25 has not been explained, and the final composition of the Lebanese delegation — reported as diplomats-only on July 11 — has not been officially confirmed for this round.
3 developments
- StrongNew round of Israel-Lebanon talks scheduled for mid-July, according to report
- DevelopingReport: Fifth round of Lebanon-Israel border talks to open in Washington on June 22
- DevelopingLebanon Demands Binding IDF Withdrawal Timetable in Rome Talks — Report
- StrongLebanese sources: fifth round of Israel-Lebanon talks set for June 23, focus on permanent ceasefire
Source and signal
- Internal intake