BEIRUT, Lebanon: Lebanon and Israel concluded two days of US-mediated negotiations in Rome on Wednesday, agreeing on the framework for implementing “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon, a US official said.
The ambassador-level talks, held at the US Embassy in the Italian capital, marked the sixth round of direct negotiations between the two adversaries since the latest conflict erupted on March 2.
The discussions followed five previous rounds in Washington and built on a US-brokered framework agreement reached on June 26.
“Talks concluded after two days of productive and positive discussions,” a US official said in written comments distributed to journalists.
The official said the participants had “agreed on the structure and guidelines for the pilot zone process”, adding that the arrangements would be finalised and implemented in the coming days.
The negotiations were mediated by Washington as part of efforts to secure a broader agreement aimed at ending hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Pilot zones and Israeli withdrawal
Under the June framework agreement, Lebanon and Israel agreed to establish two pilot zones in southern Lebanon.
The framework envisages the disarmament of armed groups, an apparent reference to Hezbollah, the deployment of Lebanese armed forces in the south and the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from occupied Lebanese territory.
The US official said the negotiations would now enter a technical phase to implement the framework agreement and work towards a “comprehensive agreement between Israel and Lebanon”.
Lebanese negotiators have been seeking concrete progress towards an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, while Israel has maintained that its forces will remain in the area until Hezbollah is disarmed.
Israeli forces currently occupy what Israeli officials describe as a buffer zone extending about 10 kilometres inside southern Lebanon along the border.
Lebanon has repeatedly called for an immediate Israeli withdrawal.
Israeli military operations continue
The talks took place as Israeli military operations continued across southern Lebanon.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), Israeli forces carried out a series of large explosions early on Wednesday in the border towns of Khiam and Qantara in Marjayoun district.
The news agency also reported extensive demolitions in Beit Yahoun in Bint Jbeil district, where Israeli forces targeted valleys and residential areas.
The NNA said Israeli bulldozers cleared roads linking Bint Jbeil to the border town of Maroun al-Ras.
Separately, Israeli troops opened fire towards residents attempting to inspect orchards near Majdal Zoun and Mansouri. No injuries were reported.
Israeli drones also continued flying over Beirut and its southern suburbs throughout the day, according to the agency.
