Israel and Lebanon opened a new round of US-mediated talks in Rome on Tuesday, with negotiations set to run through Thursday. The talks are the seventh round of US-sponsored discussions between the two countries.
According to US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the discussions aim to advance full implementation of the Trilateral Framework, including the pilot zone process, verified disarmament of Hezbollah and other Iran-backed security threats, redeployment of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and laying the ground for a comprehensive peace and security agreement.
Beirut is seeking Israel's phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon. In June, Israel and Lebanon agreed in Washington to a framework deal that included Hezbollah's disarmament, a gradual Israeli withdrawal and deployment of the Lebanese army to the region. Hezbollah rejected the agreement at the time.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem dismissed the latest talks, saying they would bring Lebanon nothing but shame, humiliation and successive compromises.
Pigott said the talks build on momentum from President Trump's meeting with Lebanese President Aoun and Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as the successful launch of the first pilot zones in southern Lebanon.