A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in the US told "The Times of Israel" that the third day of talks concluded without an agreement on the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Nevertheless, the parties decided to continue discussions, and meetings will resume on Friday at the US State Department.
According to reports, the fifth round of talks was expected to conclude on Friday evening with the signing of a framework agreement providing for a phased withdrawal of Israel from certain parts of its extensive security zone in South Lebanon. According to the plan, units of the Lebanese Armed Forces are to occupy the positions vacated by Israeli troops.
The areas designated for withdrawal are called "pilot zones." However, one Israeli official stated that it would not be accurate to consider this process a full withdrawal. According to him, the Israeli army will maintain a security zone approximately six miles deep in South Lebanon and will only withdraw from areas reported to have been cleared of "Hezbollah" infrastructure.