Lebanon, Israel Set for Rome Talks on Joint Committees for Agreement Implementation

Technical discussions between Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to take place in Rome on July 14 and 15, focusing on Israeli demands to establish joint committees. This meeting, brokered by the United States, marks a shift from weeks of stagnation towards addressing the implementation of a U.S.-brokered framework agreement.

The proposed joint committees would cover distinct areas: political affairs, security, and the management of "good neighborly relations." According to Lebanon's pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper, the framework agreement also includes provisions for expanding Lebanon's negotiating delegation by adding political, diplomatic, financial, legal, and security experts.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed the implementation of the framework agreement with Army chief Rodolphe Haykal on Friday, ahead of his own meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled for July 21. Meanwhile, a U.S. official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that "pilot zones" agreed upon by both sides will begin launching soon.

These zones are designated areas in south Lebanon where the Israeli military is expected to transfer control to the Lebanese army after ensuring the removal of any Hezbollah presence. The U.S. Central Command is coordinating these efforts with both Israel and Lebanon. However, specific details regarding the exact dates for the zone handovers and their locations remain unclear, as a State Department spokesperson declined to preview these details.

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pilot zones that both sides had agreed to will launch in the coming days while additional zones are mapped out and planned.