Rome: The opening day of the latest negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in Rome focused on border issues and mechanisms to verify the implementation of security arrangements, a senior Lebanese official told Anadolu on Tuesday. "The first day of the seventh round of negotiations with Israel concluded, with the afternoon discussions divided into two meetings, one military and one political," said the anonymous official.

According to Anadolu Agency, at the political meeting, the two sides discussed the border issue, with Lebanon presenting its position. The discussions are set to continue on Wednesday, the official said. During the military meeting, participants discussed mechanisms to verify implementation of the security arrangements, including an Israeli withdrawal, Hezbollah's weapons, as well as the third party responsible for overseeing the process. "Lebanon has not yet received responses from Israel's political leadership regarding its commitment to the ceasefire," the official said.

This week's round marks the second time Rome has hosted the negotiations, which are currently scheduled to last three days. Five previous rounds were also held in Washington as part of a US-mediated negotiating process. US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott wrote on US social media company X that Tuesday's talks in Rome brought together technical teams from Israel and Lebanon to "advance full implementation of the Trilateral Framework, including the pilot zone process, verified disarmament of Hizballah (Hezbollah) and other Iran-backed security threats, redeployment of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and laying the ground for a comprehensive peace and security agreement."

"The United States remains fully committed to supporting both governments as they carry this process forward in a manner that delivers lasting security for both countries, eliminates security threats to Israel, and restores Lebanese state authority throughout the south," he added. The Trilateral Framework, signed by the US, Israel, and Lebanon on June 26, commits Lebanon's armed forces to gradually assume security responsibility in designated pilot zones following the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups, while Israeli forces would redeploy from Lebanese territory.