No timetable set, further technical talks planned
No timetable set for phased withdrawal, source says
The Rome talks marked the sixth round of direct negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli negotiating teams, according to a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon. The discussions built on a framework agreement reached June 26 that provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied parts of southern Lebanon, deployment of the Lebanese Army, disarmament of militant groups — what a U.S. official described as efforts to “disarm and prevent Hezbollah from returning to areas evacuated by Israel” — and restoration of what the official called “effective sovereign authority.”
A U.S. official said in a statement that the two sides had agreed on “the structure and guidelines for the pilot zone process, to be finalized and implemented in the coming days.” The official added that Lebanese and Israeli negotiators will “now move to expanded technical talks” to advance implementation with the aim of reaching a comprehensive agreement.
But a Lebanese military source told UPI that the Rome agreement “did not include a clear timetable, and the areas concerned have yet to be defined.” The source said that “it doesn’t seem that the Americans reached a final agreement with Israel on this one,” adding that an Israeli-Lebanese-U.S. military meeting will be held virtually to discuss “implementation steps” concerning the first pilot zones. The source confirmed that the Lebanese Army “is ready to deploy and take over any areas” once Israeli forces withdraw.
A Lebanese official source said the military meeting will take place in the coming days, during which the Lebanese and U.S. armies will coordinate the Israeli withdrawal from the designated areas.
Israel first designated two pilot zones for starting its withdrawal that included the towns of Froun, Ghandourieh, Zawtar al-Gharbieh and Zawtar al-Sharqieh, situated in the central sector of southern Lebanon near the strategic Litani River, according to the UPI report.
A senior Israeli official told the Israeli English-language Ynet website that the Rome talks went well but that additional preparations and understandings were still needed before the first stages of the pilot zones could be implemented. “We assess that this will be achieved in the coming days,” the official said.
The Israeli official said neither the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, or UNIFIL, nor the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization had been discussed and that neither would form part of any verification mechanism. The official added that the parties were examining several alternatives but that U.S. troops were also unlikely to take part, noting that Washington “is not prepared for boots on the ground.”
According to Ynet, talks are continuing over weapons stored on private property in the pilot zones, with the parties “seeking a solution that would facilitate the removal of illicit weapons while respecting Lebanese law.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that efforts are underway to end the war, secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces and deploy the Lebanese Army along the country’s southern border, allowing displaced residents of villages and towns to return to their homes. Aoun decided to engage in direct talks with Israel to try to stop its military campaign triggered by Hezbollah opening a support front for Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023, and resuming fighting in solidarity with Iran on March 2.
Israel, which is occupying a 6-mile “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon, insists that it will not pull out its troops unless Hezbollah is completely disarmed.