Israel, Lebanon conclude Rome talks, move closer to launching 'pilot zones'

ROME -- Israel and Lebanon concluded a new round of talks in Rome on Wednesday, moving closer to launching a pilot project, under which control of parts of southern Lebanon would be transferred from Israeli forces to the Lebanese army, according to Italian media.

Israel and Lebanon have made progress on a mechanism for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the first two "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon and agreed to continue negotiations at a later date, according to a report of the Italian news agency Agenzia Nova.

The development came after the sixth round of US-mediated talks between the two sides concluded in Rome, the report said, citing sources close to the negotiations.

According to the report, the talks focused on implementing the framework agreement reached in Washington on June 26. The two sides further clarified the sequence and conditions for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), the disarmament of Hezbollah, and the verification of the Lebanese state's effective control over the areas concerned.

Sources said Israel is expected to proceed with the withdrawal from the first two pilot zones because the designated areas are considered posing no direct threat to Israel's security.

The pilot project is intended to test the Lebanese army's ability to take control of the areas, remove military infrastructure and prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing a presence before the mechanism is expanded to other parts of southern Lebanon.

Both Israel and Lebanon recognize that the overall process will take time, as Lebanon is seeking to restore state sovereignty in the south while avoiding internal instability, whereas Israel insists on verifiable security guarantees to ensure that areas vacated by its forces do not return to Hezbollah's control, according to the sources.

Israel maintains that a full withdrawal remains conditional on the Lebanese army's ability to establish lasting control over the territory and advance Hezbollah's disarmament, the sources added.

The sixth round of talks, held at the US Embassy in Rome, followed a previous meeting in Washington late last month aimed at advancing a ceasefire framework. The parties also agreed to hold another round of talks, with the date yet to be determined.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has said hosting the talks reflects Italy's role in supporting efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.