Beirut/Rome, July 15 (dpa/GNA) – Progress has been made in US-brokered talks held in Rome between Israeli and Lebanese government officials, Lebanese sources said on Wednesday, with the two sides agreeing to meet on Friday to discuss two pilot zones for a potential Israeli withdrawal.
A Lebanese presidential source told dpa that “there was some visible progress” during the Rome discussions, with participants agreeing to identify areas where an Israeli withdrawal would take place and where the Lebanese Army would be deployed. “On Friday, there will be a Lebanese-US-Israeli military meeting, during which they will establish the mandate and the framework for this operation for the first two so-called pilot zones,” the Lebanese source said. “If this move succeeds, they will proceed accordingly to other regions.”
The atmosphere yesterday was different. Today was better. Yesterday there was tension,” the source said, adding that a framework had been discussed to form working teams, although no names had yet been agreed.
A recent framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon stipulated that the withdrawal would be tested in pilot zones, with the Israeli military to hand over control in these areas to the Lebanese army, once Hezbollah is no longer present there.
The pilot zones under discussion include the southern Lebanese towns of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, al-Ghandouriyah, Burj Qalawiyah, Sarifa and Frun, government sources said. The areas include locations that are either under Israeli occupation, under Israeli fire, or adjacent to Israeli positions.
Officers from the three sides would agree on a working plan during Friday’s meeting, whose location has not yet been determined and could be held virtually, the sources added.
The Israeli news outlet Ynet, citing an Israeli official, reported that further preparations and agreements were still required before implementation could begin.
US officials described the talks as positive and productive, according to Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, who cited a US official as saying the discussions produced agreement on the structure and guidelines for establishing the pilot zones.
Actual withdrawal could still take timeThe Lebanese and Israeli governments are holding direct political talks for the first time in decades, to shore up the ceasefire in the conflict with the pro-Iranian Hezbollah.
The US-mediated negotiations took place in Rome for the first time, having previously been held in Washington. Hezbollah is not involved. Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to strike targets in Lebanon and keeps troops in the country.
Beirut and Hezbollah view the Israeli-controlled “security zone” as an occupation in violation of international law. The area, around 620 square kilometres in size, corresponds to about 6% of the country’s territory. Observers believe a complete withdrawal could take months or longer. No timetable has yet been agreed.
GNA