Latest round of direct Israel-Lebanon talks commence in Rome
Israeli and Lebanese representatives have begun another two-day round of US-mediated talks in Rome, the sixth round of direct negotiations since the ceasefire between Iran, US and Israel was declared in April.
The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to Washington are heading the delegations, with the US ambassadors to Lebanon and Israel also in attendance. Israeli media reported that, unlike previous rounds, military representatives from both sides will not be participating in this round of negotiations.
Beirut is hoping to secure an Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon, although expectations for swift progress are low.
Last month, Lebanon and Israel announced a “framework agreement” outlining the withdrawal of Israeli forces in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah. On the ground, however, the agreement has stalled.
Before the fighting around the strait intensified, Israel’s war on Lebanon repeatedly threatened to derail the interim deal.
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Israel says it’s ready to implement ‘pilot zones’ in Lebanon
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar says Israel is “ready to move forward implementing these two pilot zones” during a new round of talks in Italy.
“I hope and tend to believe that this round of discussions in Rome will promote it,” said Saar.
The Israeli army has continued carrying out strikes and demolishing villages in southern Lebanon despite having signed a framework agreement last month.
Under the deal, Israel will gradually withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon where it has deployed troops to fight Hezbollah. The long-disempowered Lebanese military will take full control of two small areas dubbed “pilot zones” after Hezbollah’s withdrawal.
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First day of Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome ends
The first day of talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome has ended, our colleagues on the ground are reporting.
Earlier, Israel’s foreign minister said the country was ready to move forward with plans to withdraw troops from two areas of southern Lebanon under a US-brokered deal.
Talks aimed at discussing how to implement the framework agreement are expected to continue for a second day.
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Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome productive: US government official
Tuesday’s talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome were productive, an unnamed official from the US State Department told Reuters.
Earlier, Israel said it was ready to move forward with plans to withdraw troops from two areas of southern Lebanon agreed under a US-brokered deal.
The talks come after a meeting in Washington, DC on June 26 produced an agreement that called for an end to Israel’s war on Lebanon, the disarmament of armed groups – an apparent reference to Hezbollah – the deployment of Lebanese troops to the south and the progressive withdrawal of Israeli forces.
This round of talks will continue tomorrow.
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Lebanon’s deputy PM: Framework with Israel lacks timeline for army’s withdrawal
Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri has said that the framework agreement with Israel “contains no reference” to a timeline for Israeli withdrawal from the country’s south.
Speaking on negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Rome, Mitri said Lebanon was counting on an American position that understood the need for Israeli withdrawal from the country.
“Washington is the sponsor and not the mediator in these talks, and if the sponsor is keen to resolve the issue, it should adjust the balance of power,” said Mitri.
The deputy prime minister said Israeli withdrawal and handing over of some villages back to the Lebanese army “may give some confidence to the talks”.
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“contains no reference” to a timeline for Israeli withdrawal
Paragraph 3 of the framework.
Under the security annex, the Lebanese Armed Forces will gradually assume full and effective security responsibility in designated pilot areas. These areas will serve as the mechanism for the phased and verified redeployment of Israeli forces and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Comment:
Redeployment of troops refers to the military process of moving soldiers, equipment, and resources from one operational location to another, while withdrawal means the military retreat of troops from an area.
The wording used in paragraph 3 of the framework is ambiguous, as it does not contain a date of the start of the phase, while "redeployment" clearly suggest 'to another operational location,'
The paragraph clearly benefits the Israelis.
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