Lebanon agrees to take part in Rome talks after guaranteeing US participation

Lebanon has agreed to participate in the Rome negotiations after its concerns were calmed and after it secured the presence and sponsorship of the United States, MTV reported on Wednesday.

"This means the negotiations will not be bilateral between Lebanon and Israel, but trilateral under U.S. auspices," MTV said, adding that Lebanon will be represented at the negotiations by Ambassador Nada Moawad and Ambassador Simon Karam.

A Lebanese official had told to al-Joumhouria newspaper, in remarks published Wednesday, that Lebanon had rejected an Israeli proposal to hold the sixth round of talks with Israel in Rome.

Italy's foreign ministry had said Tuesday that Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors were due to hold direct talks in Rome on July 15 and 16.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also said Tuesday that the next round of talks with Lebanon would take place in Rome.