Lebanon conditions participation in Rome talks on Israeli withdrawal from two areas in the south

Lebanon is conditioning its participation in the next round of negotiations with Israel on an Israeli withdrawal from two designated areas in southern Lebanon, according to a diplomatic source familiar with the talks.

The source, speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on condition of anonymity, said Beirut is insisting that Israel withdraw from the two “pilot” or “experimental” areas specified in the framework agreement before negotiations scheduled for 15th–16th July in Rome can proceed. “Lebanon is demanding Israel’s withdrawal from two experimental areas as a condition for participating in the negotiations,” the source said.

The Lebanese government has not yet publicly confirmed its official position. The Rome meeting follows five rounds of US-mediated negotiations held in Washington, which culminated late last month in the signing of a framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

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According to the agreement, implementation would begin with a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas in southern Lebanon, the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in those areas, and measures aimed at addressing the presence of armed groups, including provisions related to Hezbollah’s disarmament. Hezbollah has rejected the agreement.

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, first announced that the next round of negotiations would take place in Rome. The venue was subsequently confirmed by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Italian authorities.

According to the Lebanese diplomatic source, the US State Department informed negotiators that the signing of the framework agreement marked “the end of one phase and the beginning of a new one,” signalling a transition to discussions on implementation.

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