Agence France-Presse reported on Saturday that a Lebanese official confirmed Lebanon's participation in the scheduled talks with Israel next week in Rome. At the same time, a US military delegation is conducting discussions in Lebanon to discuss mechanisms for an Israeli withdrawal from a 'trial' area in the southern part of the country.
The source stated that 'Lebanon will participate' in the negotiation round held in Rome on July 15 and 16, following a previous diplomatic indication that Lebanon conditioned Israel's withdrawal from two trial zones in the south for joining new talks.
This upcoming negotiation round comes just days before the expected visit of the Lebanese President to Washington, invited by US President Donald Trump. The Lebanese Presidency announced Thursday that the visit is scheduled for the last week of July.
Meanwhile, an American military delegation is holding meetings with the Lebanese army command to discuss implementing mechanisms for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from a trial area between two regions in southern Lebanon.
On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington, which particularly outlined disarming Hezbollah and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army starting to deploy from two 'trial' areas.
The framework agreement does not specify a timeline for the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Israeli officials have repeatedly stated their forces will not withdraw from a security zone 10 kilometers deep from their border until Hezbollah is disarmed, a move analysts doubt Lebanon's ability to achieve.
Hezbollah rejects disarming and direct negotiations with Israel and relies on its supporter, Iran, to halt conflict with Tel Aviv.