Baabda reports progress, says pilot zones within 'days or hours'
Progress was achieved Wednesday in the Lebanese-Israeli talks in Rome and the implementation of the so-called pilot zones in south Lebanon will begin within days or hours, Baabda sources said.
“The discussion has now become practical and detailed regarding the proposed implementation mechanism for launching the practical framework,” the sources told MTV.
“Today's discussions focused on the two pilot zones as a starting point for the work. These are mixed areas: one where there is an Israeli occupation from which the Israelis are withdrawing, and another where there is an occupation on its borders, and where the army's strength is being reinforced,” the sources said.
“The second issue is the start date for implementing the two pilot zones. All preparations are underway for the start to be within days or hours, and a statement is expected to be issued specifying the date. We hope it will not extend beyond the end of this week,” the sources added.
The sources also confirmed that "there will be discussions on what has been termed the framework, meaning the sequence of remaining areas beyond the two pilot zones, and determining a timeframe for the other areas."
They indicated that "the scope of the discussions addresses the technicalities, namely withdrawal and entry, which may necessitate another military meeting before implementation, most likely in Rome."
The sources revealed that "a statement from the U.S. side is likely to be issued outlining what has been agreed upon, along with the time and place of the next meeting."
Regarding communication with Hezbollah for implementation, the sources told MTV: "We are relying on the joint framework, which is clear and stipulates the return of the civilian residents of the villages in question."
They added: "As for verification, it will be referred to a third party, and there are several options. We are open to the U.S. vision, and we naturally prefer that U.N. agencies, such as UNIFIL and UNTSO, handle the verification. Several proposals have been discussed, but no final decision has been reached yet because any verification process requires a legal framework."
The sources confirmed that "there has been no request to inspect private property. The verification mechanism stipulates that Lebanese laws be respected, and there is no problem within that framework."
The sources added that "so far, no concrete plan has been developed for the working committees. The initial idea was for the first committees to address the complete Israeli withdrawal and post-withdrawal arrangements, but the current discussion is focused on the two pilot zones."
The Baabda sources added that "any meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu is completely unacceptable," adding, President Joseph "Aoun's visit to Washington will include a meeting with (U.S. President Donald) Trump and perhaps a number of other officials, and the visit will be very brief."
Al-Jadeed television meanwhile reported that "the pilot zone that has been agreed on, in principle, contains Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh, al-Ghandouriyeh, Burj Qalaway, Srifa and Froun."
"These are mixed areas -- some occupied, others under Israeli fire, and others on the borders of occupied territory," it explained.
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/321265 |