Israel, Lebanon conclude Rome talks, move closer to launching 'pilot zones'

Israel and Lebanon concluded a new round of US-mediated talks in Rome on Wednesday, making progress towards launching a pilot project. This initiative would transfer control of parts of southern Lebanon from Israeli forces to the Lebanese army. The sixth round of talks focused on implementing a framework agreement reached in Washington on June 26, clarifying the sequence and conditions for Israeli withdrawal, Lebanese Armed Forces deployment, Hezbollah disarmament, and verification of Lebanese state control. The two sides agreed to continue negotiations at a later, undetermined date.