American Official: We Will Oversee Israel's Withdrawal from "Experimental Areas" in Lebanon

SadaNews - Sources from Lebanon and the United States reported on Thursday evening that a U.S. military delegation will oversee the beginning of Israel's withdrawal from "two experimental areas" in southern Lebanon, in implementation of the framework agreement aimed at ending the war.

The Lebanese presidency announced that President Joseph Aoun was informed by U.S. Ambassador Michel Aoun that the military delegation will soon arrive in Lebanon to oversee the start of this withdrawal in accordance with the agreement's provisions.

In Washington, a U.S. official said: "We are now in the phase of implementing the framework." He added, "The first experimental area will be launched within days, and maps for additional experimental areas are currently being prepared and planned."

He explained that the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) will coordinate in this regard with the two countries. He added, "We will soon begin communicating with international partners to help the Lebanese government effectively regain its sovereignty in these areas and across the country more broadly."

Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington on June 26, which specifically included disarming Hezbollah and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army to begin its deployment starting from two "experimental areas."

According to the presidential statement, Aoun was informed by Aoun that "preparations are underway to implement what has been agreed upon concerning the experimental areas, and a U.S. military delegation will arrive in Beirut within days to coordinate and determine the field execution mechanisms."

Aoun emphasized that "it is essential that there be no vacuum during the withdrawal of Israeli forces," noting that the date of implementation will be determined based on the "results of the coordination meetings."

Lebanon conditions Israel's withdrawal from the two experimental areas in the south for agreeing to participate in a round of negotiations scheduled for next week in Rome, according to a diplomatic source accompanying the negotiations, as reported by Agence France-Presse on Wednesday.

Aoun, for his part, emphasized the "necessity of establishing a ceasefire in the south and pressuring Israel to halt military operations and adhere to what was stated" in the agreement.

The agreement does not specify a timeline for the withdrawal from southern Lebanon, while Israel repeatedly states, through its officials, that its forces will not withdraw from a security zone ten kilometers deep from its borders until after Hezbollah's disarmament, a step that analysts question Lebanon's ability to achieve.

Hezbollah rejects surrendering its weapons and engaging in direct negotiations with Israel and their outcomes, relying on its supporter Iran to end the war.

A ceasefire was established by an agreement signed by Washington and Tehran to halt the war between them in the Middle East, including in Lebanon, just days before the framework agreement was signed between Lebanon and Israel.

The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Rome on the 15th and 16th of this month, at the request of Washington, which hosted the first five rounds. Lebanon has not yet officially confirmed its participation.

The next round of negotiations occurs just days before President Aoun's anticipated visit to Washington at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, which the Lebanese presidency announced on Thursday will take place during the last week of this month.