WASHINGTON, Sep 12 (Alliance News): The next round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Rome has been delayed until October, a US official said on Friday.
The United States had announced last month that the next round of talks in the Italian capital would take place in early September.
Although the Rome meeting will not proceed as planned, the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors are scheduled to meet at the US State Department in Washington next week to discuss ongoing developments and the continued implementation of a framework agreement reached in June, the official said on condition of anonymity.
The so-called Trilateral Framework calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the area, initially in designated “pilot zones.”
The US official said the agreement “remains the only viable mechanism to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty and Israel’s security.”
After the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran in late February, Hezbollah brought Lebanon into the conflict by firing missiles at Israel.
Violence had eased following an understanding reached between Iran and the United States in June, followed by an agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
However, Israeli strikes have intensified in recent days.
The announcement of the delay came a day after Israel destroyed Hezbollah tunnels in southern Lebanon. The explosion was recorded by the US Geological Survey as equivalent to a 4.1-magnitude earthquake.
A source familiar with the planning told AFP that several factors had made it impossible for key participants to attend the talks as scheduled.
The source cited preparations for the upcoming UN General Assembly, Jewish holidays and a Paris conference in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces among the reasons for the delay.
