A US military delegation will arrive in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, within days to coordinate and establish a field mechanism for launching work in the agreed "pilot zones" under the Lebanon-Israel framework agreement, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa said on Thursday.
Issa made the remarks after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency.
On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a US-sponsored framework agreement providing for a phased Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territory, beginning with two unspecified "pilot zones."
The presidency said Aoun and Issa discussed the Lebanese president's planned official visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump, as well as developments in Lebanon and the wider region.
A senior Lebanese source said on Wednesday that Aoun had been invited to Washington on July 21 for talks with Trump, with implementation of the framework agreement expected to top the agenda.
During the meeting, Aoun stressed the need to consolidate the ceasefire in southern Lebanon and called for pressure on Israel to halt its military operations and comply with the framework agreed at the conclusion of Lebanese-US-Israeli negotiations in Washington, DC.
He also called for an end to Israeli bombardment, demolitions and bulldozing operations in towns and villages still occupied by Israeli forces.
Issa said Aoun's upcoming visit reflected Trump's interest in Lebanon and efforts to achieve security and stability in the country.
Rome talks to focus on implementation
Asked about a meeting in Rome on July 14-15, Issa said relocating the talks from Washington was solely for technical reasons to facilitate travel for ambassadors and delegation members.
He said the meeting would focus on implementing the framework agreement through specialised working groups responsible for carrying out the agreed arrangements, including those requiring legal and technical expertise.
Issa said the Rome talks would build on understandings reached in Washington and would be followed by additional meetings to oversee the phased implementation of the agreement.
Regarding the "pilot zones", Issa said preparations were under way and that the US military delegation would coordinate implementation on the ground. He said the timeline would depend on the outcome of coordination meetings and stressed the need to avoid a security vacuum after Israeli forces withdraw from the designated areas.
Israeli raids continue
Israel has continued its military offensive in Lebanon since March 2, killing more than 4,300 people and injuring over 12,000 others, according to official figures.
Israeli forces also continue to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war, while advancing more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory during the latest offensive.
