Israel and Lebanon agree Britain, Italy, Switzerland, Indonesia could send peacekeeping troops – sources

Israel and Lebanon have agreed on Britain, Italy, Switzerland and Indonesia as potential contributors to a proposed mechanism that could see foreign troops deployed to Lebanon to verify Hezbollah’s disarmament, say people familiar with the matter.

The shortlist emerged from US-mediated talks in Rome last week, the latest round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon on implementing a June agreement that ties Israel’s phased withdrawal from Lebanon to the disarmament of the Hezbollah terror group.

The countries could help define the mechanism’s scope, provide personnel to oversee its implementation or contribute troops to observe or take part in inspections verifying disarmament, three sources say.

A source with direct knowledge of the matter says discussions surrounding the shortlisted countries are in the early stages but says they are “cautiously optimistic” the effort will proceed.

Switzerland’s foreign ministry tells Reuters it is exploring ways to support “various stabilization processes,” but declines to provide details. A British foreign ministry spokesperson says Britain is ready to support efforts to de-escalate tensions and long-term security, particularly in southern Lebanon, without elaborating.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has no immediate comment, but an Israeli official denies that any agreement has been reached regarding the countries that will make up the verification committee, and says that talks on the matter are still ongoing.

The Lebanese presidency and Indonesian foreign ministries do not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The next round of Israel-Lebanon talks is scheduled for early September.