Senior officials from Israel, Lebanon, and the United States are set to gather in Rome next week for a new round of high-level negotiations aimed at advancing security arrangements in southern Lebanon, resolving disputed border issues, and expanding a U.S.-backed pilot security initiative, according to a State Department official.

The three-day meeting, scheduled for August 4 through August 6 in the Italian capital, will bring together diplomats and technical experts from the three countries as part of ongoing American-led mediation efforts. The talks are expected to center on widening the Israeli military’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon while tackling unresolved territorial disputes along the shared border.

A State Department official told Axios that the negotiations have gained “significant momentum” in recent weeks, pointing to the launch of the first pilot security zone in southern Lebanon as well as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House last week.

According to the official, “In Rome, technical groups will focus on advancing the full implementation of the framework agreement. That includes expanding the pilot zone process, resolving all outstanding border issues, and working on a comprehensive peace and security agreement,” Axios reported.

The official also described the pilot security zone as an important opportunity to restore the Lebanese government’s authority in the country’s south, explaining that it “is an opportunity to deliver real progress on the ground, restoring Lebanese state authority through the verifiable disarmament of terrorist organizations and building the confidence needed for next steps.”

Officials believe that experience gained from the first phase of the initiative will help shape future stages of the broader security plan. As the State Department official explained, “The experience of the initial zones will help us perfect pilot-zone implementation so it can expand in a phased manner.”

The Biden administration’s successor has made clear that the trilateral framework remains Washington’s preferred path toward long-term stability between Israel and Lebanon. Emphasizing that commitment, the official stated, “Fully implementing it is in the clear interest of both countries, and the Trump Administration is committed to its success,” according to Axios.

The diplomatic effort stems from a framework agreement unveiled in Washington on June 26 by the United States, Israel, and Lebanon. Under the plan, Israeli forces would gradually withdraw from designated areas in southern Lebanon while the Lebanese army moves in, beginning with two initial pilot zones.

Despite the progress, the agreement faces a significant obstacle. Its implementation depends entirely on the complete disarmament of Hezbollah, a condition the Iran-backed terrorist organization has categorically rejected, along with the broader peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

{Matzav.com}