Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanon and Israel concluded a new round of direct talks in Rome, mediated by the United States.
This came amid an announcement by a US official that progress had been made in implementing a security plan.
This plan could lead to the start of an Israeli troop withdrawal from some areas of southern Lebanon in the coming days.
Progress in negotiations
A US official said that the two sides had made progress in talks regarding the implementation of the “pilot zones” plan, which aims to implement security arrangements. This comes in preparation for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from a number of areas in southern Lebanon.
This tour comes within the framework of American efforts aimed at stabilizing Lebanon’s southern border.
It also aims to push the two parties towards implementing the agreed upon security understandings.
Sixth round of talks
The talks, held at the ambassadorial level, took place at the US Embassy in Rome on Tuesday and Wednesday. This was the sixth round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2nd. These negotiations occurred within the context of a broader regional escalation.
The discussions focused on mechanisms for implementing security agreements and the phases of establishing pilot zones. They also addressed related field arrangements.
Stay tuned for the plan’s implementation
The first steps in implementing the plan are expected to begin in the coming days, provided the technical and military understandings between the two sides are finalized.
This includes the Israeli withdrawal from some of the agreed-upon positions within the first phase.
Neither the Lebanese nor the Israeli government has issued an official statement regarding the outcome of this round of talks.
Meanwhile, the United States continues its efforts to monitor the implementation of the understandings and oversee the next steps within the framework of its ongoing mediation.
