Lebanon Conditions Rome Israel Talks on IDF Pilot Zone Withdrawal

Lebanon accepted a U.S. invitation for direct talks with Israel in Rome on July 15-16 after initial refusal over the venue change, then said it would only take part if the IDF first withdraws from two pilot zones under the trilateral framework agreement. A source close to President Joseph Aoun said Beirut secured Secretary of State Marco Rubio's virtual participation to keep the round trilateral rather than bilateral. Aoun told supporters a majority of Lebanese, including Shiites who paid the heaviest price in southern fighting, back the negotiation track. The Rome round precedes Aoun's July 21 White House meeting with President Trump.