New Round of Lebanon-Israel Talks Begins in Rome with US Mediation
A new round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel commenced today, Tuesday, under the mediation of the United States at the US embassy in Rome, and is expected to continue until tomorrow. Lebanese sources have stated that the Beirut delegation is pursuing three main issues in these talks.
According to these sources, the first topic under discussion is the initiation of the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the contested areas in southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army in those locations. The stabilization of the ceasefire between the two parties and facilitating the reconstruction of areas damaged by the war are also among the key issues raised in these negotiations.
The Lebanese delegation is chaired by Simon Karam, with Nada Maalouf, Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington, also part of the team. Additionally, Ziad Haikal, a retired brigadier general in the Lebanese army and advisor to President Michel Aoun, is another participant in the talks.
According to Russia Al-Youm, the Lebanese military delegation is not present in this round of discussions. These negotiations are taking place amid ongoing tensions in southern Lebanon, which over recent months have had significant security and humanitarian consequences for the residents of these areas.
