Lebanon will participate in talks with Israel scheduled for July 15-16 in Rome, according to a Lebanese official cited by AFP, as a U.S. military delegation holds meetings in Beirut to discuss mechanisms for implementing an Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon.

A diplomatic source familiar with the negotiations said Lebanon conditioned its participation on Israel withdrawing from two designated trial zones in southern Lebanon before a new round of negotiations begins.

The talks are set to take place just days before Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s planned visit to Washington at the invitation of President Donald Trump. Lebanon’s presidency said the visit is expected during the final week of July.

The discussions follow the framework agreement signed in Washington on June 26, which outlines the gradual disarmament of Hezbollah and a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese Armed Forces deploying first to two pilot areas.

The agreement does not establish a timetable for an Israeli withdrawal. Israel has repeatedly stated that IDF forces will not leave the security zone along the border until Hezbollah is disarmed, a goal that many military analysts believe the Lebanese government lacks the ability to enforce.

Hezbollah has rejected calls to surrender its weapons or engage in direct negotiations with Israel and is reportedly relying on Iran to halt the conflict with Israel.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)