The sixth round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon opened Tuesday in Rome, according to reports. The talks continue diplomatic efforts to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries.
The sixth round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon opened Tuesday morning in Rome, following reports Monday evening that the talks would be hosted at the US embassy and led by the US ambassador to Lebanon, alongside the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to Washington. The two-day session is proceeding without military representatives, as The Zioneer reported Monday night, citing Israel Hayom. The opening of the round comes after a preparatory meeting in Geneva on June 21 and a fifth round in Washington in late June.
Earlier Monday evening, The Zioneer reported that the round would lack military representation, a shift from earlier rounds. That report followed an initial Channel 14 report on Monday afternoon that the talks were set for Rome, with Israeli officials accusing Lebanon of delaying the implementation of a pilot agreement. On Sunday, ynet reported that an Israeli official said Israel would not withdraw from Lebanon if Hezbollah remains in place. The fifth round, held in Washington on June 22–24, focused on a permanent ceasefire and a timetable for withdrawal from a designated pilot zone, according to Lebanese sources cited by Saudi outlet Al-Hadath and reported by The Zioneer's Arab Desk.
The talks are part of a US-mediated diplomatic track that has alternated between Washington and European capitals, with the third round held in Washington on June 25 as reported by The Zioneer. The broader context includes ongoing US-Iran diplomatic channels and the issue of Hezbollah's disarmament and deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon, as Lebanese officials have stressed.
No details have emerged on the agenda for this round, nor on the composition of the delegations beyond the lack of military representatives. It remains unclear whether the pilot agreement implementation delay will be addressed.
4 developments
- StrongLebanon to participate in Rome talks with Israel on July 24-25, official says
- DevelopingIsrael and Lebanon to resume talks in Rome; official says 'if Hezbollah stays, so will we'
- StrongIranian delegation arrives for talks, demands end to Lebanon fighting
- StrongThird round of Israel-Lebanon talks begins in Washington
Source and signal
- Internal intake