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 Hezbollah, 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 Hezbollah 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.

Hezbollah 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.

- Pilot zones -

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told a cabinet meeting on Monday that his country was pursuing "efforts towards successive Israeli withdrawals from Lebanese territory, leading to a full withdrawal".

A US State Department official had told AFP that this week's discussions would "include expanding the pilot zone process, resolving all outstanding border issues, and working on a comprehensive peace and security agreement".

On Monday, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa warned that "moving too quickly risks jeopardising the very civilians this process is meant to protect".

"It is better to take the time needed to get this right the first time. Doing so will allow subsequent pilot zones to move forward more efficiently," Issa said.

"Both sides must agree on a clear, workable process before proceeding."

The Lebanese army's deployment is a major test, with experts expressing doubt over the authorities' ability to disarm Hezbollah -- which opposes the Israel deal and refuses to surrender its weapons -- and prevent further non-state military activity.

Observers say Israel's commitment to withdraw will also be tested when pilot zones are selected in areas fully under its occupation.

Violence in Lebanon has decreased since the Lebanon-Israel deal and the signing in June of a preliminary US-Iran agreement on the Middle East conflict.

But Lebanon continues to report intermittent Israeli strikes and shelling, as well as detonations and demolitions in southern villages.