Lebanon-Israel talks end without agreement in Rome

The seventh round of talks between Lebanon and Israel has ended in Rome without an agreement, with the two sides failing to resolve key outstanding issues.

According to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, the Lebanese delegation returned to Beirut without agreeing on a date for the next round of negotiations.

A major point of disagreement concerns the exchange of the remains of those killed and Lebanese prisoners. The Israeli side is reportedly seeking to apply different arrangements to their return.

The talks were also complicated by disagreements within the Lebanese delegation between political and military representatives.

With no progress achieved during the latest meeting, the future of the negotiation process remains uncertain.

The three-day talks focused on military, political, legal and border issues, as well as the release of prisoners. Discussions on prisoner lists were described as difficult but positive, with efforts underway to involve the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The political talks centred on proposed “model areas” for a phased Israeli withdrawal and Lebanon’s demand for the renewal and full implementation of the ceasefire. Lebanon proposed several locations, including Zawtar al-Sharqiya in southern Nabatieh, but no agreement was reached.

The sides also discussed a possible new security agreement for the border, including whether it should be based on a UN or US legal framework.

The latest Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon was not directly discussed at the Rome talks, although Beirut received a US commitment to provide answers regarding alleged Israeli ceasefire violations.

September 1 was proposed as a preliminary date for the next round, pending further US consultations with both sides.

By Aghakazim Guliyev