Lebanon, Israel Hold New Round of Direct Talks in Rome

ROME – Lebanon and Israel began a new round of direct negotiations in Rome this week, set to continue until Thursday, as the two sides work to implement a framework deal agreed earlier this year.

The talks are the seventh round sponsored by the United States since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in March with rocket fire at Israel in support of its backer Iran. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion that Lebanon says have killed more than 4,300 people.

At negotiations in Washington in June, the two sides agreed to a framework deal involving the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon's south and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, starting in test areas known as "pilot zones".

A US state department official told AFP that this week's discussions would "include expanding the pilot zone process, resolving all outstanding border issues, and working on a comprehensive peace and security agreement".

After talks last month, Israel's military withdrew from the outskirts of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, one of the first pilot zones. The Lebanese army deployed there and has allowed residents to inspect their homes and businesses.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told a cabinet meeting on Monday that his country was pursuing "efforts towards successive Israeli withdrawals from Lebanese territory, leading to a full withdrawal".

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Monday urged both sides to "continue in a constructive spirit, identifying shared solutions that will allow for the full implementation of the framework agreement", his ministry said.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, however, said on Tuesday the direct negotiations would bring "nothing but shame, humiliation, and successive compromises" for Lebanon. In a televised address, he also criticised President Joseph Aoun, saying he "has not acted as an arbiter, nor as a unifying figure, but has become biased and divisive".

US ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa cautioned that "moving too quickly risks jeopardising the very civilians this process is meant to protect", adding that both sides must agree on a clear, workable process before proceeding.

Experts have expressed doubt over the authorities' ability to disarm Hezbollah, which opposes the deal and refuses to surrender its weapons. Violence has decreased since the agreement, but Lebanon continues to report intermittent Israeli strikes and demolitions in southern villages.