Lebanon sets Israeli troop withdrawal as price for Rome negotiations

Lebanon has made Israel's withdrawal from two "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon a precondition for participating in the next round of direct negotiations in Rome, scheduled for July 15–16, a diplomatic source familiar with the talks said.

According to the source, Beirut is insisting that Israeli forces leave the two designated areas and transfer control to the Lebanese Armed Forces before negotiations can proceed.

"Lebanon is stipulating Israel's withdrawal from two pilot zones in order to participate in the round of negotiations," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The upcoming talks follow five rounds of US-sponsored negotiations held in Washington, which were aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and laying the groundwork for a lasting peace.

The parties recently reached a US-mediated framework agreement calling for Hezbollah's disarmament, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from occupied Lebanese territory, and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the designated pilot zones.

However, the agreement, which Hezbollah has rejected, does not include a timetable for Israel's withdrawal. Israeli officials have also stated that their forces will remain in a 10-kilometre (six-mile) "security zone" for as long as Hezbollah remains armed.

The Lebanese diplomatic source said the US State Department had informed negotiating delegations that "reaching a framework agreement is the end of one phase and the beginning of a new one."

According to the source, the next round of negotiations, aimed at securing a permanent agreement, requires negotiators to remain close to their respective countries "for consultation."

The source added that Israel quickly agreed to hold the talks in Rome, viewing the venue as an opportunity to "reduce the pressure" exerted by Washington during negotiations that led to the ceasefire and framework agreement.

At the same time, Lebanese officials received assurances from Washington that the United States would maintain "the same level of engagement in the negotiations and the same policy in managing the talks" during the Rome discussions.

The negotiations are set to precede Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's expected visit to Washington later this month at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.

Aoun said the planned visit reflects "the United States' support for the path to finding a lasting solution to the series of Israeli wars and attacks on our country."

While Lebanon's presidency has not officially announced the date of the visit, local media reports suggest it is expected to take place on July 21.

Hezbollah entered the regional conflict on March 2 by launching attacks on Israel, saying it was acting in retaliation for the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Israel responded with a large-scale air campaign and a ground offensive that has killed more than 4,300 people and resulted in the occupation of territory near the Lebanese border.

The framework agreement followed a separate accord between Tehran and Washington aimed at ending the broader regional conflict, which also established a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to carry out periodic strikes in southern Lebanon. Two people were reportedly killed in an Israeli strike on Wednesday.

The diplomatic source said Beirut also seeks to "affirm its right and ability to negotiate on its own behalf" after Iran insisted on including Lebanon in its agreement with Washington.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reaffirmed the group's opposition to the framework agreement, declaring:

"Not a single clause of the agreement will pass."

He made the remarks during a speech at commemorative events held ahead of July 9 burial of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

By Vafa Guliyeva