All eyes are on the Italian capital Rome, which will host the sixth round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel on July 14 and 15, amid an atmosphere that combines optimism on the ground with the emerging diplomatic complexities over the terms of the framework agreement and its implementation mechanisms.
The Lebanese side was represented in these negotiations by Lebanon's ambassador to Washington Nada Mouawad, along with Ambassador Simon Karam, while the Israeli side was represented by Tel Aviv's ambassador to Washington Yehiel Leiter.
According to political data in Beirut, the ongoing preparations reflect the Lebanese desire to give a strong impetus to this stage, through the formation of technical and political committees emanating from the framework agreement.
Contrary to the skeptical atmosphere, positive trends have crystallized in recent hours in terms of military field coordination undertaken by the US side, raising expectations for the success of this practical round.
In the context of the composition of the Lebanese delegation, it was confirmed that Ambassador Simon Karam arrived in Rome and was joined by Ambassador Nada Mouawad.
Retired Brigadier General Ziad Heikal will participate in the tour as an advisor to President Joseph Aoun and as part of his advisory team, with the categorical confirmation that no official military delegation representing the Lebanese military will participate in these negotiations. In accordance with the Presidential Directives, the Lebanese delegation will work to determine the commencement of the implementation of the pilot zones in their full terms, which include the Israeli withdrawal, the redeployment of the army, and the start of reconstruction.
"Experimental Zones" and the Absence of an Official Military Delegation
In conjunction with the political movement, a delegation from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) is holding shuttle meetings in Yarza with Lebanese military officials to discuss the implementation steps and stabilize the ceasefire.
Israeli Ambassador Yehiel Leiter said that Israel, the US Central Command and the Lebanese army are working to create conditions for the activation of two "model areas" in southern Lebanon from which Israeli forces are planned to withdraw, on the condition that the Lebanese army assume full responsibility and prevent the return of Hezbollah's position.
Reconstruction Obstacles and the Dilemma of Air Violations
On the diplomatic level, high-level sources revealed the emergence of complex Israeli obstacles facing the reconstruction of the southern villages, as Tel Aviv is trying to set conditions that will make the implementation time period too long under the pretext of fears that Hezbollah will exploit construction companies to pass elements or weapons.
Lebanon, on the other hand, insists on putting a final end to the flight of Israeli aircraft flying in the airspace of the capital Beirut and the southern suburbs, as the government of Nawaf Salam finds that the continuation of the breaches harms national sovereignty and negatively affects the negotiation process, as Lebanon is betting on the success of the diplomatic track, which previously led to a 95% reduction in Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory.
President Joseph Aoun, who briefed Army Chief General Rudolph Heikal on the details of the Yarza talks, is looking forward to giving a strong impetus to the framework agreement and stabilizing the remaining 5% of the total cessation of military operations, in preparation for his upcoming visit to Washington and his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on July 21, amid hopes of extracting decisions that support the Lebanese position.
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