Israel-Lebanon talks extended another day
U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon that were slated to end Thursday will go on for another day, the U.S. State Department said.
It said this fifth round discussions that began this week will resume Friday morning (Washington time). "Israel and Lebanon talks remain ongoing as we continue to facilitate," the department said in a statement.
These talks come amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, an offshoot of the Mideast war that the United States and Iran are negotiating to bring to a definitive end.
The two delegations failed to reach an agreement on Thursday despite meeting for 10 hours. The talks had started on Tuesday.
"The Lebanese delegation wants a 'declaration of intent' while the Israeli delegation wants an 'agreement,'" Al-Jadeed TV said.
MTV had reported Thursday that "there is Israeli evasion in the Lebanese-Israeli negotiation sessions regarding any discussion of a timetable for withdrawal, and Israel is setting very difficult conditions for withdrawal."
"More than 10 proposals for pilot zones submitted by the Lebanese delegation and the U.S. side did not gain the approval of the Israelis, who insist that the Lebanese Army must operate in areas outside the occupation zone south and north of the Litani River," MTV added.
Pilot zones are areas from which Israeli forces would withdraw to be replaced by the Lebanese Army, which would become in charge of clearing the area of weapons and militants.
"The Lebanese and Israeli military delegations discussed a security annex, but many points remain contentious in the wording and content, such as linking withdrawal to complete disarmament. However, there is agreement on other points," MTV said.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet
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