The “framework paper” entered the practical testing phase, with an American military delegation beginning its meetings with the Lebanese Army leadership, in a mission focused on translating the political and security understandings between Lebanon and Israel into implementable field steps.
Agence France-Presse reported that the American military delegation began meetings with the Lebanese Army leadership, as part of research into the executive mechanisms related to the framework agreement.
An American military official told Agence France-Presse: “We are now in the implementation phase of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel,” noting that the first experimental zone between the two sides will be launched “within days.”
The official added that work is currently underway to develop maps for “additional experimental areas” in Lebanon, explaining that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) will coordinate between Lebanon and Israel regarding these areas.
The main task that the delegation carries to Lebanon is to translate the “framework paper” and implement its provisions on the field, especially those related to the arrangements for Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the areas that are agreed upon.
The US military official confirmed that Washington will soon communicate with international partners to help the Lebanese government “restore its sovereignty.”
These meetings come at a time when the agreement has entered the implementation phase, amid work on developing field mechanisms and maps for the experimental areas from which the Israeli withdrawal is supposed to begin.
In parallel, Agence France-Presse reported that the next round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel will be held in Rome on the 15th and 16th of this month, which was also confirmed by the American military official.
However, the agency indicated that Lebanon has not yet officially confirmed its participation in the next round.
On June 26, with American mediation, Lebanon and Israel reached a framework agreement stipulating a gradual Israeli withdrawal from areas in southern Lebanon, accompanied by the deployment of the Lebanese army and the extension of its authority there, without the agreement including a clear timetable for withdrawal.
Thus, the meetings of the American military delegation with the army leadership constitute the beginning of the transition from the stage of political understandings to the stage of establishing executive mechanisms, in light of the anticipation of what the talks will lead to regarding the first experimental areas, additional maps, and the upcoming Rome round.
