Lebanon expects US to pressure Israel in next talks over ceasefire, pilot zone expansion
Lebanese officials expect Washington to pressure Israel during the next round of talks in Rome on Aug. 4, aimed at shoring up the ceasefire and expanding the pilot areas, Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Tuesday.
A Lebanese political source involved in implementing the framework agreement told the newspaper that the Lebanese army's warning to Israel against obstructing the agreement's implementation is expected to feature prominently in the discussions.
A second source said broadening the pilot areas could gradually strip Hezbollah of the rationale it has cited for opposing the framework agreement and failing to implement it on the ground.
The source said the Lebanese government remains committed to the principle that the state alone should possess weapons, adding that the issue remains high on the agenda of the committees formed under the framework agreement and is non-negotiable.
