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A U.S. military delegation met with Lebanon's army in Beirut to discuss the implementation of Israel's withdrawal from one of the "pilot zones" in occupied territory, a Lebanese military official reportedly told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Saturday.
The visit comes under a framework agreement reached on June 26, under which Israel is expected to gradually withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon where it sent troops as part of its military campaign against Hezbollah.
As part of the agreement, the Lebanese military will take full control of two small areas described as pilot zones.
"The American military delegation arrived and began meetings with the Lebanese army command to discuss the mechanisms for implementing the first pilot zone from which the Israelis will withdraw, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy," the Lebanese military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"This is the main objective the American military delegation is bringing to Lebanon... it is the translation and implementation of the framework agreement," the official said.
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa told President Joseph Aoun on Thursday that "an American military delegation will arrive in Beirut in the coming days to... determine the mechanism" for implementing the deal.
In Washington, a U.S. official said the process had moved to the implementation stage.
"The first pilot zone will launch in a matter of days, and further pilot zones are being mapped out and planned," the official said on condition of anonymity.
The official said U.S. Central Command would coordinate on the zones with both countries.
The agreement has been rejected by Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shia movement that has long battled Israel.
The deal does not set a timetable for Israel's withdrawal. Israeli officials have also said their forces will remain in a "security zone" 10 kilometers, or 6 miles, deep as long as Hezbollah remains armed.
Israel has continued intermittent strikes despite the truce in its war with Hezbollah.
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported several Israeli strikes in the south on Saturday.
The latest round of talks between Lebanon and Israel is set to take place in Rome next Wednesday and Thursday.
Lebanon and Israel have no formal relations but have held five rounds of negotiations since the start of the war.
Lebanon has conditioned its participation in the talks on Israel withdrawing from two pilot zones.
The talks are expected to take place before Aoun's planned visit to Washington later this month at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump.
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