All Eyes on Rome as Sixth Round of Talks Begins
The sixth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations has kicked off in Rome under US auspices, in an effort to translate the framework agreement signed in Washington in late June into concrete steps on the ground. The talks are expected to focus on establishing pilot areas in southern Lebanon, from which Israeli forces would gradually withdraw in parallel with the deployment of the Lebanese Army under US supervision.
The negotiations are scheduled to last two days and are being closely monitored by the US State Department, which is seeking to consolidate the ceasefire and move both sides toward implementing the first phase of the agreement. Should the current round encounter obstacles, the talks could be moved back to Washington.
The Lebanese delegation includes Lebanon's Ambassador to Washington Nada Maalouf, former Ambassador Simon Karam, and Brigader General Ziad Haykal, an adviser to President Joseph Aoun.
MTV's correspondent in Rome reported that multidisciplinary committees will be formed to oversee the implementation of the pilot areas in southern Lebanon, while a political committee will intervene whenever necessary.
