Lebanon says army ready to take over areas vacated by Israel

Lebanon's army is prepared to gradually assume control of areas from which Israeli forces withdraw, a Lebanese diplomatic source stated during a new round of US-mediated talks in Rome on Tuesday. These negotiations follow a June 26 framework agreement aimed at achieving "lasting peace" after five rounds of talks in Washington. The Lebanese delegation has been instructed to demand an immediate Israeli withdrawal from two "pilot zones" before further discussion. Israel is willing to withdraw gradually but seeks assurances that Hezbollah will not enter evacuated areas and that the Lebanese army can maintain them as demilitarized zones. Orna Mizrahi, a Lebanon specialist, noted, "Israel is willing to withdraw gradually, provided that Hezbollah is not present in the evacuated areas." Hopes for a breakthrough remain low, with Karim Bitar of Sciences Po Paris stating, "The chances of a breakthrough in Rome are quite limited." The talks are also complicated by renewed US-Iran hostilities, though experts believe Iran may preserve Hezbollah as a long-term deterrent rather than immediately escalating conflict.