PNN – The first day of the latest round of talks between Lebanon and the Zionist regime concluded in Rome on Tuesday; during the negotiations, the Lebanese delegation called for the designation of new pilot zones, the extension of the ceasefire, and a halt to violations by the occupying regime.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; Lebanon’s official news agency had previously announced the commencement of this round of talks—mediated by the United States and attended by delegations from both sides—in the Italian capital. The discussions focused on issues related to the implementation of the previously announced framework agreement.
Reportedly, in addition to seeking a ceasefire extension and an end to aggressions by the Zionist regime, the Lebanese negotiating team called for the designation of new model zones, including Bint Jbeil and Al-Khiam.
Lebanon and the Zionist regime had previously reached a framework agreement following five rounds of negotiations.
During a cabinet meeting on Monday, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that Beirut is striving to secure the successive withdrawal of Zionist regime forces from Lebanese territory, with the ultimate goal of achieving a complete withdrawal of the occupiers.
Lebanon is also calling for a halt to the Zionist regime army’s large-scale demolition and blasting operations in the country’s south—operations that last week extended to the vicinity of the historic Beaufort Castle (Qal’at al-Shaqif).
Amid the Israeli regime’s ongoing aggressive attacks, a U.S. State Department spokesperson stated that the latest round of U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon began today, Tuesday, in Rome and will continue through Thursday.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated on Tuesday (U.S. Eastern Time) that, following meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—and the successful launch of a pilot zone initiative in southern Lebanon—the latest round of U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon commenced today in Rome and will run until Thursday, August 6.
A spokesperson for the Trump administration’s State Department stated that these talks have brought together technical teams from Israel and Lebanon to advance the full implementation of the “tripartite framework”—including the rollout of pilot zones, the disarmament of Hezbollah and the addressing of other security threats, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the groundwork for a comprehensive peace and security agreement.
Pigott asserted that the United States remains fully committed to supporting both governments in advancing this process in a manner that ensures lasting security for both sides, eliminates security threats against Israel, and restores the Lebanese government’s sovereignty across the south.
These discussions and claims by U.S. officials come as no signs of progress have yet been observed in the process of expanding the experimental withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
Following five rounds of US-mediated direct negotiations in Washington, Lebanon and the Israeli regime signed a framework agreement for the phased deployment of the Lebanese army across the country and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas in southern Lebanon; however, Tel Aviv has so far refrained from fully honoring its commitments while simultaneously continuing attacks on and the destruction of residential areas, particularly in the border regions of southern Lebanon.
In recent months, through persistent military attacks and acts of aggression against southern Lebanon, the Israeli regime has repeatedly violated the country’s sovereignty and caused extensive human and infrastructural damage.