As Lebanon-Israel talks drag on, can Beirut break Iran linkage?
Despite efforts to continue the direct talks between Israel and Lebanon aimed to reach a permanent end of hostilities and security arrangements, outside factors, including Israeli escalation, Hezbollah’s staunch refusal to disarm and the stalled US-Iranian nuclear talks, risk hindering any tangible outcomes that would favor Lebanon.
BEIRUT — Hopes that direct talks between Lebanon and Israel could pave the way for a more sustainable ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon have largely faded after a seventh round ended this week without a major breakthrough.
Overshadowed by Israeli escalation in south Lebanon and Hezbollah’s continued refusal to disarm, the negotiations appear to have lost their momentum despite some progress on detainees and border demarcation.
“The talks are over and were productive on the technical and expert levels. The two sides are a lot closer on what needs to be done to advance and expand the pilot zone process,” said a US State Department spokesperson.
What happened: The three-day talks, sponsored by the United States and held in Rome, concluded on Thursday. Expanded delegations on both sides included diplomats and military and legal experts at the second such meeting to be held in Rome, following an earlier round on July 14-15. Lebanon and Israel had previously met in Washington for their first direct talks in decades that began in April.
