Israel, Lebanon, US weigh who will verify Hezbollah disarmament after negotiations in Rome

Israel, Lebanon, and the US are negotiating in Rome over which country will verify that areas entered by the Lebanese Armed Forces under a pilot phase of Hezbollah's disarmament are free of Hezbollah operatives and weapons. Italy is a potential candidate. The talks began Tuesday and continue through Thursday. Israel and the US oppose extending UNIFIL's mandate, which expires at the end of this year.

Israel, Lebanon, and the United States are holding talks in Rome to determine which country or countries will be responsible for verifying that areas entered by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) under the pilot phase of Hezbollah's disarmament are free of Hezbollah operatives and weapons. The discussions, which began on Tuesday and continue through Thursday, involve three sources familiar with the talks. Italy has emerged as a potential candidate for this verification role. The talks are part of a US-facilitated process following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon under a US-brokered plan. Israel initially insisted on being the party to verify the areas, but faced strong opposition from the Lebanese government. Israel and the US are firmly opposed to extending the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is set to expire at the end of this year. No final decision has been made, and several alternatives remain under consideration. The Lebanese Army Commander, Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, met with Italy's Joint Operations Command commander, Lt.-Gen. Giovanni Maria Iannucci, to discuss support for the Lebanese Army and options after UNIFIL's mission ends.