Talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome concluded on the 15th (local time),
with an Israeli official calling the round progressed smoothly. A Lebanese
source said the sides reached preliminary agreement to establish two "pilot
zones": one within an area currently under Israeli control and a second adjacent
to Israeli deployments. The zones are intended as starting points to phase
Israeli troop withdrawals and adjust military deployments. An Israeli official
said additional preparatory work and further agreements are required before
initiating phase one, work that is expected to conclude in the coming days.
Sources added Israel wants the verification committee overseeing
demilitarization of the pilot zones to include Israel, the US and a third party,
excluding France and the UN. Israel has not commented officially.
