The seventh round of US-sponsored indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel kicked off in Rome on Tuesday with Beirut seeking more Israeli withdrawals from southern Lebanon that would pave the way for the deployment of the army and return of the displaced in line with the "pilot zones" program that is part of the June 26 "framework agreement." Beirut is also aiming for Israel to end its demolitions in southern villages it is occupying.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is following up on the "Rome 2" negotiations that will take place over three days. Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal is following up directly with the Lebanese military delegation at the talks.
Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the delegation kicked off the talks by stressing the need for Israel to cease its ongoing violations.
Lebanon’s primary demand is for Israel to consolidate the ceasefire and end its demolitions. The US mediator expressed understanding of the demand, while Israel has yet to respond, said the sources.
The first part of the discussions on Tuesday was dedicated to assessing the first pilot zone that was implemented in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in July and the technical mechanism to expand the zones.
They discussed which party should be tasked with ensuring that Israel had withdrawn from the South and the Lebanese army had deployed. The US will not be that party, added the sources.
The latest Rome talks are expected to end with an agreement to move to a new pilot zone. The Lebanese delegation proposed that it should be the cities of Bint Jbeil and Khiam given their national significance and geographic locations and the fact that several of their residents remain displaced, said the sources.
Alternative proposals are ready should this one be turned down. All the proposed regions fall within Israel’s "yellow line" that it is occupying.
The sources stressed that the Lebanese army is ready to deploy in new pilot zones should the Rome talks end with a new agreement, citing its successful deployment in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh after the Israeli pullout.
Moreover, the sources revealed that – in a first – Israel backed down from its refusal to discuss the land border with Lebanon. The issue will be discussed, and the presence of a legal expert among the Lebanese delegation was evidence of this.
The previous round of talks in Rome had led to an agreement over the first pilot zone in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh.
On Monday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged Lebanon and Israel to "continue in a constructive spirit, identifying shared solutions that will allow for the full implementation of the framework agreement", his ministry said. He made his statement after holding talks with the heads of the Lebanese and Israeli delegations.
A US State Department official had 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".
On Monday, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa warned that "moving too quickly risks jeopardizing the very civilians this process is meant to protect".
"It is better to take the time needed to get this right the first time. Doing so will allow subsequent pilot zones to move forward more efficiently," Issa said.
"Both sides must agree on a clear, workable process before proceeding."
In Washington, a State Department source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the US is keen on maintaining the "diplomatic momentum" to reach the common goal of the full implementation of the framework agreement so that southern Lebanon would be free of "terrorist infrastructure" and for Hezbollah to be disarmed.
This would allow the Lebanese state to impose its authority in the region and achieve permanent security, it added.
