US says fully committed to supporting Lebanon and Israel after seventh round of talks

The United States said it remains "fully committed" to support both Lebanon as Israel as they held a fresh round of U.S.-sponsored talks in Rome on Tuesday.

"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," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said on X.

At negotiations in Washington in June, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a framework deal that involves the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon's south and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, starting in test areas known as "pilot zones".

A U.S. State Department official had told AFP that this seventh round of talks would "include expanding the pilot zone process, resolving all outstanding border issues, and working on a comprehensive peace and security agreement".