US and Israeli officials have denied reports that the list of countries participating in an international monitoring mechanism operating in Lebanon after the end of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission has already been agreed upon.
According to reports, consultations on creating a new security mechanism for Lebanon with the participation of Jerusalem and Washington remain ongoing. One of the main tasks of the mechanism will be to monitor Hezbollah’s disarmament process and the activities of the Lebanese army.
List of countries not yet determined
Earlier reports citing informed sources claimed an agreement had been reached on sending military contingents from the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, and Indonesia to Lebanon.
According to claims, soldiers from these countries were expected to participate in the mechanism monitoring Hezbollah’s disarmament and inspecting Lebanese army operations.
However, an Israeli source familiar with the details of the talks denied this information. According to the source, no agreement has yet been reached regarding the composition of the monitoring body that will operate in pilot areas.
A US official also confirmed that the final list of countries joining the international mechanism has not yet been approved.
Main dispute is who will control the Lebanese army
The composition of the body intended to monitor the Lebanese military’s actions remains one of the key sticking points in US-mediated talks.
Following three days of technical meetings in Rome, a US State Department spokesperson reported that parameters necessary for the mechanism to begin operating in pilot areas and key elements of the tripartite structure had been agreed upon.
The parties agreed on common definitions for the concepts of ‘verification’ and ‘area clearance’, as well as joint maps and an action plan.
However, the issue of who will verify the Lebanese army’s area clearance operations remains open. As part of the US-mediated diplomatic process, third-party verification of the Lebanese military’s actions is under consideration.
New meeting to be held in September
In the next stage of technical talks, Beirut is expected to continue implementing the agreed program in covered areas, as well as present detailed security plans for new areas.
During the meetings, the US side reiterated its opposition to extending UNIFIL’s mandate. Consequently, Israel and Lebanon agreed to work with the US on creating an alternative international mechanism.
A new round of diplomatic talks is scheduled to take place in Rome in early September. Consultations are expected to continue in Beirut, Jerusalem, and Washington prior to that.
A US State Department spokesperson stated that despite existing difficulties, Washington is satisfied with the progress of negotiations. According to the official, holding direct dialogue between the parties and developing joint solutions is itself considered significant progress.
The US strategy relies on a phased approach. Therefore, expanding the mechanism to new areas will be possible only after proving its effectiveness in pilot regions.
Washington also warned that Hezbollah is trying to disrupt the process, while negotiating parties face domestic political pressure.
Source: cursorinfo.co.il
