It Almost Broke Down... Behind the Scenes of the First Day of Rome Talks

MTV sources in Rome revealed that tense atmospheres prevailed during the military meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli delegations, with disagreements arising as Lebanon insisted on scheduling the withdrawal and a complete ceasefire, while Israel remained firm, citing the necessity of destroying facilities and weapons.

Information indicated that two meetings were held in Rome this afternoon: the first was a border-related political session attended by Ambassador Simon Karam, Ambassador Nada Mawad, Dr. Antoine Chafik, Colonel Ziyad Heikel, Najib Mousaheb, Colonel Jihad Al-Khazin, and Major Chaker Hajjaj; the second was a military session involving the military delegation. It was noted that no agreement has yet been reached regarding the third party responsible for monitoring the verification mechanism, with discussions focusing on steps required to designate a trial zone as "successful".

Further information stated that "the first day was difficult, with high expectations creating an impression that things might 'break down' without progress. Although the Americans understood Lebanon's position, the pressure they previously exerted appears to have diminished, and their intervention has become limited—almost reaching a deadlock, with Lebanon now awaiting effective U.S. re-engagement."

The report also highlighted that "the initial joint session saw Lebanon present its view that what is happening in the south is not a ceasefire, while Israel stated it faces no obstacles to destroying Hezbollah facilities, blaming those who allowed the group’s expansion in the south. The military session focused solely on conceptual issues. The experience at Zoutrah West and the discrepancies emerging in negotiations over its land and non-land boundaries revealed significant confusion in interpreting trial zones, which led to Israeli gunfire despite the private property issue having been settled in prior sessions under a clear legal framework."

Additionally, sources confirmed that "the border discussion began from where previous negotiations had concluded, with reconstruction and economic matters addressed at the outset, and the next session will commence tomorrow at 9 a.m. Rome time."