US delegation in Lebanon to discuss Israeli withdrawal from 'pilot zones'

An American military delegation has begun talks in Beirut with the Lebanese Army on implementing Israel’s withdrawal from one of the pilot zones in southern Lebanon, a Lebanese military official told AFP on Saturday.

Under a U.S.-mediated framework agreement reached on June 26, Israel is to gradually withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon where it deployed troops during its offensive against Hezbollah.

The agreement calls for the Lebanese Army to assume full control of two limited sectors, known as ‘’pilot zones.’’

’’The American military delegation has arrived and begun meetings with the leadership of the Lebanese army to discuss the mechanisms for implementing the first pilot zone, from which the Israelis must withdraw to allow the Lebanese Army to deploy,’’ the military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

’’The main objective of the American military delegation in Lebanon is to translate the framework agreement into concrete measures and ensure its implementation,’’ the official added.

’’The first pilot zone will be established in the coming days, while others are being delineated and prepared,’’ an American official in Washington, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said this week. The U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, will coordinate implementation of the zones with both countries, the official added.

Hezbollah has rejected the June agreement, which does not set a timetable for Israel’s withdrawal. Israeli officials have also said their troops will remain in a 10-kilometer-deep security zone as long as Hezbollah remains armed.

Lebanon and Israel, which do not have diplomatic relations but have held five rounds of talks since the start of the war, are due to resume negotiations Wednesday and Thursday in Rome. Beirut has conditioned its participation on Israel’s withdrawal from the two pilot zones.

The talks will precede President Joseph Aoun’s expected visit to Washington later this month at the invitation of President Donald Trump.