According to a report, the next round of Israeli-Lebanese talks in Rome will address expanding the 'pilot zones' and the dismantling of Hezbollah. The talks are part of the ongoing U.S.-brokered diplomatic process.
A new report Monday evening indicates that the upcoming round of Israeli-Lebanese talks in Rome will focus on expanding the "pilot zones" and the dismantling of Hezbollah. The report, whose source has not been disclosed, arrives as the Lebanese delegation arrived in Rome earlier today for the negotiations, which are scheduled to begin on August 4 under U.S. mediation.
The Zioneer reported earlier Monday (09:05 Jerusalem) that the Lebanese delegation, led by former ambassador to Washington Simon Karam, left Beirut and landed in Rome for the talks. According to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Liwaa, the delegation carries explicit instructions from Beirut to condition discussion of any other topics on the presentation of a clear roadmap for IDF withdrawal from additional areas in southern Lebanon. The U.S. State Department confirmed on July 29 that the talks would take place in Rome from August 4 to August 6, with technical teams to discuss expanding pilot zones and resolving border disputes. On July 12, The Zioneer reported that an Israeli official stated Israel would not withdraw from Lebanon if Hezbollah remains in place, and that Lebanon confirmed participation in the talks without Hezbollah's consent.
The talks are part of the ongoing U.S.-brokered diplomatic process following the framework agreement signed in Washington last month. The pilot zone mechanism is a key component of gradual security arrangements along the border, as The Zioneer has reported. The talks come amid continued IDF operations against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
The source of the new report on the agenda has not been disclosed, and the claims have not been confirmed by official Israeli or Lebanese sources. Whether Hezbollah's dismantling is a realistic outcome of the talks remains an open question.
2 developments
- StrongUS State Department confirms next round of Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome, August 4-6
- DevelopingIsrael and Lebanon to resume talks in Rome; official says 'if Hezbollah stays, so will we'
- StrongLebanon to participate in Rome talks with Israel on July 24-25, official says
- DevelopingReport: New round of Israel-Lebanon negotiations to begin Tuesday
Source and signal
- Open-source intake