US General Clearfield meets with Berri and Salam
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and U.S. General Joseph Clearfield met Friday with Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Visiting General Clearfield heads a coordination group involved with the U.S. sponsored June agreement. The framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel involves the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, starting in "pilot zones".
Following his meeting with Berri, Ambassador Issa stated that negotiations in Rome remain ongoing and positive. He noted that General Clearfield's visit aims to provide clarification, particularly to Berri.
For his part, Salam emphasized that Israel must halt hostilities, expand pilot zones, and establish a clear timeline for withdrawal from occupied territories in southern Lebanon.
On Wednesday, Clearfield met with army chief Rodolphe Haykal. The pair discussed "developments in the south and security arrangements" relating to the deal, the Lebanese military said, as well as "the difficulties the army faces in carrying out its missions, primarily due to the continuing attacks, bulldozing and destruction by the Israeli occupation".
President Joseph Aoun also met Clearfield, his office said, and discussed the implementation of the framework deal.
Israel and Lebanon are to hold an eighth round of U.S.-sponsored negotiations next month, in Rome.
Source: Naharnet
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