Lebanon: No eighth round of negotiations before Israel fulfills its commitments, otherwise there is no point
Beirut informs Americans of its objection... Lebanese minister to “Al-Siyasa”: Washington must pressure the occupation
Beirut – “Al-Siyasa” – By Omar Al-Bardan
If Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has expressed his country’s keenness to complete direct talks with Israel in an effort to implement the Framework Agreement, despite acknowledging that the path ahead is long and difficult, the atmosphere surrounding the seventh round in Rome does not suggest that Beirut will agree to participate in a new negotiating session. This is amid the Israeli occupation delegation’s insistence on employing tactics of delay and procrastination, and taking matters in another direction. In this regard, it was learned that Lebanon may not participate in the upcoming eighth round, preliminarily scheduled for September, unless Israel shows readiness to meet the conditions set by the Lebanese delegation. These include a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to dredging and destruction operations in the south.
A prominent Lebanese minister told “Al-Siyasa”: “How can talks succeed when Israel is working to avoid honoring its commitments and trying to renege on its pledges?” This was a reference to the Israeli occupation army’s return to occupy part of the village of Zaitun al-Gharbiya (Western Zaitoun). The minister stressed that Washington is obligated to pressure Israel to force it to implement what it committed to under the Framework Agreement; otherwise, there is no point in continuing negotiations.
It was also learned that regarding the file of pilot areas, Lebanon remains committed to demanding the establishment of new areas, specifically insisting on the options of Tyre (Aynata) and Bint Jbeil. Consequently, this file will remain at the core of Lebanese conditions before moving to a new negotiating round, with the delegation insisting that talks be translated into tangible measures, rather than remaining disconnected from ground developments.
As Lebanon continues to await the return of US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Brad Cooper to Beirut to ascertain Washington’s true stance on implementing the Framework Agreement, the Lebanese political scene is still reading the repercussions of the outcomes of the recent Rome talks. Sources close to the head of the Lebanese delegation painted a vague picture of the results achieved, stating, “We did not even receive promises during the round, and we conveyed our dissatisfaction and this position to the United States.” They added that Israel does not want negotiations, nor does it want to negotiate, especially since there is no reliance on other tracks, which have proven to be more fragile and complex. They continued, “Of course, the talks were difficult, but they were never easy. Israel does not want to do anything currently, especially since the timing of the talks coincides with elections in which Netanyahu begins his campaign from the northern security line of the occupation.”
According to sources, the Lebanese delegation did not even receive promises. Regarding the verification committee and the list of countries discussed, Israel, in light of Europe’s position on Netanyahu’s trial, wants to exclude all European countries, including Italy. Contrary to what is being circulated, there is no final approval for them. Furthermore, Israel refuses Arab participation, but Lebanon will not agree to such tracks, given its historical relations and strategic interests with Western and Arab countries, which make it reject Israeli attempts to exclude these nations.
Regarding the anticipated date in September, the sources said, “There are definitely no dates so far.” Commenting on the incursions into Western Zaitoun, they added, “Is this the Israeli occupation army? Why the surprise?”
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Al-Siyasa has learned from reliable sources that Beirut has conveyed a protest stance to Washington regarding Israel’s negotiating approach in previous rounds, meaning the Lebanese delegation will not return to Rome until progress is made on files concerning the ceasefire and new experimental zones, particularly in Bint Jbeil and Al-Khiam, as well as halting demolition and earth-moving operations. This comes amid continued divergence between the two sides on several pending issues. Sources confirmed that Beirut conditions its participation on Israel’s approval of two experimental zones and an end to ongoing bombing operations in the south, considering these essential steps before moving to any new phase. The Lebanese side has linked its consent to a new round of talks to Israel’s adherence to the ceasefire agreement. No date has yet been set for the resumption of talks, while diplomatic communications continue, with anticipation surrounding the outcome of ongoing consultations on the implementation mechanism of the framework agreement and the next phase of negotiations.
Israel responded to Lebanese demands for the release of 34 Lebanese prisoners in its custody with a seemingly insurmountable demand: submitting a list of Lebanese Jews who went missing during the civil war in the 1980s, along with a request for their remains. The Lebanese Association for Prisoners and Released Detainees has documented 34 Lebanese prisoners in Israeli occupation jails, including three who were arrested in 1978, 1981, and 2005. The remaining 31 are divided into 10 Hezbollah fighters, two nurses arrested while accompanying Hezbollah members, and 21 civilians. According to detainee records, nine Lebanese were documented as arrested during the recent war that erupted on March 2, while 22 were arrested between October 2024 and February 2026.
On another front, as part of its ongoing operations to prevent arms smuggling into Lebanon, the Internal Security Forces in Syria’s Tartous Governorate, in coordination with the General Intelligence Directorate, foiled an attempt to smuggle a shipment of weapons and ammunition destined for Lebanese territory. The operation was carried out within the framework of joint security coordination, without providing further details on the size of the shipment, the type of weapons and ammunition seized, or the entities behind the smuggling attempt.
Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), announced the launch of a program to support the voluntary return of Syrians from Lebanon to Syria. The program includes providing transportation and direct financial assistance to returnees. Under the scheme, each member of a family wishing to return will receive a one-time cash grant of $100, while some eligible families may benefit from an additional one-time payment of $300 per family. The program also allows returnees to bring approximately eight cubic meters of luggage, in addition to personal belongings carried by hand.
The UNHCR has set preliminary dates for return flights, starting on the 25th of the current month from the Karantina area in Beirut via the Masnaa border crossing, followed by a flight on September 9 via the Arida border crossing, with the departure point yet to be determined. Another flight is scheduled for September 16 from the Shatoura Park Hotel via the Masnaa crossing, and one on September 23 via the Arida crossing, with the departure point for the final flight still undecided. Arrival points within Syria include the governorates of Rural Damascus, Damascus, Homs, Hama, Idlib, and Aleppo.
