DC talks between Israel and Lebanon wrap up for the day

WASHINGTON — The first day of the fifth round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon has wrapped up in Washington after over eight hours.

No joint statement is issued by the sides recapping today’s talks.

A source familiar with the matter says a statement is more likely at the conclusion of the talks on Thursday.

Tuesday’s meeting addressed both political and security issues. Talks will pick resume Wednesday at the Pentagon, but focus solely on security matters, before returning to the State Department on Thursday for a politically-focused session.

The US is reportedly hoping that this week’s negotiations will result in Israel agreeing to a minor withdrawal from territory in southern Lebanon where IDF troops would be replaced by the Lebanese army, in what is being dubbed a “pilot program.”

The US pressure for an Israeli withdrawal comes as Washington seeks to solidify its memorandum of understanding inked with Iran last week, which requires an end to military operations in Lebanon.

That MOU infuriated Israel, which isn’t a party to the deal and has argued that Iran should not have a say in what happens in Lebanon. The MOU also undercut Washington’s own efforts to separate the two tracks.