Netanyahu has maintained that the Israel Defense Forces will maintain its positions and a buffer security zone in southern Lebanon.
By Shula Rosen
A U.S. military team is expected to arrive in Beirut within days to begin planning a pilot arrangement for the transfer of territory from the Israel Defense Forces to the Lebanese Armed Forces, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa told Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
The visit is intended to establish how the initial phase of the territorial transfer will be carried out and to coordinate preparations before implementation.
A Lebanese statement issued after the meeting said officials are moving forward with preparations for the pilot areas.
It added that “it is essential to avoid any vacuum upon the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the designated area, and based on the outcomes of the coordination meetings, the timeline for on-the-ground implementation will be determined.”
The announcement comes as Lebanon weighs participation in another round of negotiations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that the Israel Defense Forces will keep their positions and a buffer security zone in southern Lebanon.
He insists forces will remain as long as necessary until Hezbollah is disarmed, the threat to northern Israel is removed, and Israeli security needs are fully guaranteed
A Lebanese diplomatic source told AFP on Tuesday that Beirut wants Israel to complete its promised withdrawal from two “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon and transfer them to the Lebanese army before Lebanon joins talks scheduled for next week in Rome.
Issa said the venue for the negotiations was changed from Washington to Rome “due solely to technical reasons related to facilitating the travel of ambassadors and delegation members.”
He also said expert working groups would be established to implement the three-party agreement reached in Washington last month.
Discussing Aoun’s upcoming visit to the United States, Issa said the invitation “reflects the extent of attention that President Trump accords to Lebanon and his efforts to achieve security and stability there and end the suffering of its people.”
The U.S. delegation’s visit is expected to focus on practical planning for the pilot transfer as the parties continue preparations for the next stage of the Washington agreement and the upcoming negotiations in Rome.