Israel-Lebanon Talks in Rome End Early Amid Dispute Over Pilot Zone Expansion

Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon held in Rome concluded earlier than expected due to unforeseen circumstances, according to senior U.S. State Department officials cited by Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera and Al Arabi Al Jadid channel. The talks are scheduled to resume the following morning. Lebanese sources told Al Arabi that Israel refuses to expand the pilot zones unless there is a guarantee of weapon disarmament. Lebanon has proposed extending the ceasefire by eight weeks during the negotiations.