Lebanon, Israel Agree on Shortlist of Countries to Monitor Hezbollah Disarmament

BEIRUT: Lebanon and Israel have agreed on a shortlist of countries that could potentially provide troops to monitor the process of disarming Hezbollah under a US-mediated agreement. The names and number of countries on the shortlist have not been disclosed, while the United States is expected to select one or more countries from the list.

According to Reuters, the shortlist was agreed during talks held this week at the US Embassy in Rome. Lebanese officials did not disclose the countries involved, while sources said the United States and Israel had ruled out France as a potential participant.

The talks focused on arrangements for implementing a US-mediated agreement reached on June 26, under which the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon is linked to the disarmament of Hezbollah. Hezbollah was not a direct party to the agreement and has refused to give up its weapons.

Lebanese officials said Beirut rejected a proposal to use private security companies to monitor Hezbollah’s disarmament, insisting that such a role should be assigned only to states. The two sides are expected to hold further discussions on the number of foreign troops to be deployed and how they would coordinate with the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Reuters reported that one option under consideration is to integrate foreign troops into the framework of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Such an arrangement, however, would require a new resolution from the UN Security Council. Lebanese officials said the United States and Israel had agreed to consider the proposal. Other options include deploying troops under another UN body or establishing an arrangement through a memorandum of understanding with Lebanon.

The latest talks in Rome, however, failed to produce an agreement on the areas in southern Lebanon from which Israeli forces would withdraw in the next phase. Lebanon has proposed the towns of Bint Jbeil and Khiam for the next stage of the withdrawal.

According to the report, the next round of talks between the parties is expected in early September, with discussions likely to focus on the deployment of foreign troops, further Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and other arrangements for implementing the agreement.