Next Israel-Lebanon Talks Unlikely Before End of Summer

A Lebanese diplomatic source said no new Israel-Lebanon negotiation round is planned next month and that any further talks would likely take place after summer. The source said Israel and the United States refused to expand the pilot zones until progress is made in the two existing areas. Both also demanded Hezbollah withdraw from the Ali al-Taher ridge near Nabatieh. Lebanese delegates disputed Israel's assessment that explosions in southern Lebanon resulted from strikes on military infrastructure. A senior Lebanese political source separately said U.S. General Joseph Clearfield would visit Beirut to discuss ceasefire and pilot-zone mechanisms.