Israel, Lebanon conclude Rome talks, move closer to launching "pilot zones"

Israel and Lebanon concluded a new round of talks in Rome on Wednesday, moving closer to launching a pilot project, under which control of parts of southern Lebanon would be transferred from Israeli forces to the Lebanese army, according to Italian media.

Israel and Lebanon have made progress on a mechanism for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the first two "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon and agreed to continue negotiations at a later date, according to a report of the Italian news agency Agenzia Nova.

The development came after the sixth round of U.S.-mediated talks between the two sides concluded in Rome, the report said, citing sources close to the negotiations.