Beirut, July 15 (SANA) Lebanese and Israeli delegations concluded a new round of negotiations in Rome on Wednesday after discussing several outstanding issues, including the implementation of two pilot zones under the framework agreement reached last month.
Following the talks, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the framework agreement was “the best possible formula” and had begun to produce results, adding that Washington was paying closer attention to Beirut’s position and that Lebanon’s file was on the agenda of the U.S. president.
“Our objectives are clear, and we will not compromise Lebanon’s rights,” Aoun said, according to the Lebanese presidency. He added that dialogue among Lebanese should remain focused on the national interest and expressed hope that the current process would help end years of bloodshed despite the challenges ahead.
Separately, a U.S. State Department official described the Rome discussions as “productive,” according to Reuters.
The Rome meeting followed a five-hour negotiating session held on Tuesday. It also builds on five previous rounds of talks in Washington that culminated in the signing of a framework agreement on June 26, providing for a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory beginning with implementation in two pilot areas.
F.J./M.Z.
