Lebanon and Israel Resume U.S.-Brokered Talks in Rome

Lebanon and Israel resumed talks on Tuesday in Rome to implement a U.S.-brokered framework deal that calls for an end to the conflict, disarmament of militant groups, deployment of Lebanese troops in the south, and progressive Israeli withdrawal. The delegations met at the U.S. embassy to set out implementation steps, Lebanese officials told Reuters.

One official said the move to Rome would allow both sides to consult their governments more easily during negotiations.

Background to the Framework Deal A June 26 agreement in Washington outlined the end of hostilities, disarmament of militant groups, Lebanese troop deployment, and phased Israeli withdrawal. Two zones were identified as starting points for the plan. Deadly Israeli strikes have continued since the agreement, and Hezbollah has rejected both the deal and disarmament efforts.

Israel has stated its troops will remain in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains armed.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he hoped the Rome meeting would produce "tangible and practical steps on the ground" and that Israel would begin troop pull-out so the Lebanese army could deploy to the south. A U.S. official said last week that U.S. Central Command was coordinating with both countries to launch the pilot zones.

A U.S. military delegation visited Lebanon over the weekend to discuss the plan with the Lebanese army.

Israel's military occupies a buffer zone about 10 km into Lebanon along the border, which officials say is needed to protect northern Israeli communities. Israel's military has forced residents from homes and carried out controlled explosions of villages, saying it is destroying Hezbollah infrastructure.