Lebanon Confirms Rome Talks With Israel

A Lebanese official confirmed that Beirut will participate in planned direct talks with Israel in Rome on July 15 and 16, after earlier conditioning attendance on Israeli withdrawals from two southern pilot zones. Reports described the Lebanese delegation as diplomatic or civilian, without military representatives, as the U.S.-mediated June 26 framework moves toward implementation. The framework centers on Lebanese army control in pilot zones, Hezbollah disarmament and phased Israeli withdrawal, preserving Israel's demand that the Iranian-backed terror army not return to threaten northern communities. The confirmation keeps a fragile diplomatic track alive while security arrangements are tested on the ground.