Lebanon, Israel hold new round of direct talks in Rome

Lebanon and Israel are set to begin a new round of US-sponsored direct talks in Rome on Tuesday, as Beirut seeks Israel's phased withdrawal from the country's south.

At negotiations in Washington in June, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a framework deal that involves the disarmament of Hizbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon's south and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, starting in test areas known as "pilot zones".

This week's negotiations, set to continue until Thursday, are the seventh round of US-sponsored talks since Hizbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in March with rocket fire at Israel in support of its backer Iran.

Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion that Lebanon says have killed more than 4,300 people.

Hizbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Tuesday that the direct negotiations would bring "nothing but shame, humiliation, and successive compromises" for Lebanon.

In a televised address, he also criticised Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, saying he "has not acted as an arbiter, nor as a unifying figure, but has become biased and divisive, which is incompatible with his role and with Lebanon's strength".

On Monday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged Lebanon and Israel to "continue in a constructive spirit, identifying shared solutions that will allow for the full implementation of the framework agreement", his ministry said.

After talks last month, Israel's military withdrew from the outskirts of the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, one of the first pilot zones.

The Lebanese army deployed to the area and has allowed residents to inspect their homes and businesses.

Agence France-Presse