Lebanon-Israel to Enter Next Phase of Hezbollah Disarmament Deal

Lebanon-Israel negotiating document in Washington DC. (Twitter/@yechielleiter)

JAKARTA - A United States official said on Thursday that Lebanon and Israel had entered the implementation phase of a US-mediated deal aimed at disarming the Hezbollah group.

"The first pilot zone will be launched in a few days, and the next pilot zone is being mapped and planned," the official said, adding that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) is coordinating with the two countries to advance the effort, Al Arabiya reported (10/7).

The latest round of US-mediated direct talks between Lebanon and Israel is scheduled for next week in Rome, Italy.

Previous rounds, launched by the Trump administration earlier this year, were held at the State Department and the White House.

The talks in Rome will take place behind closed doors, the official said, allowing the two governments "to leave it to the technical teams, who will work on all the issues outlined in the framework."

The official also said Washington would soon begin engaging international partners to help Beirut "effectively restore sovereignty in these zones and across their country more broadly."

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on July 21.