"Pinning Hopes on the US": Lebanon Demands Trump Pressure Israel for Further Withdrawals

The Lebanese delegation to the Rome talks will focus on "Israeli violations" and demand American pressure on Israel for further withdrawals in southern Lebanon, according to the Saudi channel Al-Hadath. Lebanese sources noted that the expanded delegation includes experts, and that Lebanon pins its hopes on the US as the most influential factor. Meanwhile, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared that "Iran has won" and that the memorandum of understanding will accelerate the Israeli withdrawal.

The Lebanese delegation to the negotiations with Israel in Rome will focus today (Tuesday) on "Israeli violations" and work to expand the pilot areas in southern Lebanon, according to the Saudi channel Al-Hadath. The delegation reportedly demands American pressure on Jerusalem to implement the framework agreement. Official Lebanese sources told the Qatari newspaper Al-Jadeed that the delegation, headed by former ambassador Simon Karam, is broader this time and includes military personnel, diplomats, border demarcation experts, and legal experts, to ensure expert presence for every file. The sources noted that Lebanon pins its hopes on the US, "being the most influential factor around the discussion table," to pressure Israel to withdraw from additional settlements, amid concerns that Israel will continue to drag its feet. Regarding the state that will oversee the pilot areas, no agreement has been reached yet, but Italy and other countries have offered assistance. Meanwhile, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered a speech on the fortieth day of Imam Hussein, in which he stated that "the path of the memorandum of understanding will accelerate the Israeli withdrawal" and that "the Islamic Republic of Iran has won." Qassem attacked the direct negotiations, which he said "brought Lebanon nothing but disgrace, humiliation, disappointment, and ongoing concessions," and sent a message to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa about the importance of brotherly relations between the countries.