Washington reaffirms full commitment to the trilateral framework as new round of talks begins between Lebanon and the Israeli occupation
Washington, Aug 4 (KUNA) – The United States reaffirmed today, Tuesday, its full commitment to the trilateral framework signed in late June in Washington with Lebanon and Israel, coinciding with a new round of talks on the matter in the Italian capital, Rome.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement posted on the X platform: “Building on the momentum generated by President Donald Trump’s meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and following the successful launch of the first experimental zones in southern Lebanon, the latest round of US-facilitated talks between Israel and Lebanon began today in Rome and is scheduled to continue until August 6.”
Pigott added that the discussions “bring together technical teams from both governments to advance the full implementation of the trilateral framework, including the experimental zones process, the disarmament of Hezbollah, addressing other security threats backed by Iran with verified evidence, the redeployment (withdrawal) of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and paving the way for a comprehensive peace and security agreement.”
He reaffirmed “the United States’ full commitment to supporting both governments in advancing this process to achieve sustainable security for both countries, eliminate security threats facing Israel, and reestablish the authority of the Lebanese state throughout all of southern Lebanon.”
The current round of talks in Rome continues until Thursday, following the sixth round held in the Italian capital last month, which yielded a preliminary agreement to designate two experimental zones to begin implementing the Israeli withdrawal—a limited breakthrough since the signing of a framework agreement in Washington on June 26 under US sponsorship, with more sensitive issues left pending for subsequent rounds and a supplementary military meeting.
Following the round, it was announced that three experimental zones in southern Lebanon would begin operations, in which the Lebanese Army is expected to deploy concurrently with the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation army, in accordance with the trilateral framework. (End) R.S.R. / R.J.
