US calls for Israel-Lebanon meeting in Rome as Beirut remains divided

The United States has proposed that Lebanon and Israel hold a working meeting in Rome later this month to discuss mechanisms for implementing a framework agreement reached between the two sides, Al Akhbar reports, citing official sources.

The report said the US Department of State had informed both governments that preparations are underway for talks scheduled to take place in the Italian capital on July 15–16.

According to the newspaper, the initiative for the meeting originated in Washington rather than Israel. The discussions are expected to focus on the implementation of the framework agreement signed by the parties in the United States at the end of June.

A final decision on whether Lebanon will send a delegation to Rome has yet to be made, with the proposal still under consideration in Beirut.

The report said Lebanese diplomatic circles remain divided over the issue. Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh Moawad has reportedly advised President Joseph Aoun to attend the meeting in person, while former ambassador Simon Karam has urged both the president and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam not to participate. 

Salam has argued that Israel has shown no intention of implementing the agreement, claiming it has already breached the initial arrangements by refusing to transfer positions north of the Litani River, as well as one village in southern Lebanon, to the Lebanese Armed Forces and instead conditioning the handover on new demands.

By Vafa Guliyeva