What will happen in Rome and why Rome?

Italy and Israel announced this week that a new round of talks between Lebanon and Israel will take place in Rome in mid-July.

The two sides had previously met for five rounds of U.S.-sponsored talks in Washington aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hezbollah and paving the way for peace.

A Lebanese diplomatic source said Israel was quick to accept Rome as the location for talks as an opportunity to "reduce the pressure" imposed on it by Washington during negotiations to reach the ceasefire and framework agreement.

Lebanon's contacts with the U.S. meanwhile received guarantees that Washington would maintain "the same level of engagement in the negotiations and the same policy in managing the talks" in Rome.

The next round -- aiming for a permanent agreement -- required the negotiators to be close to their countries "for consultation".

U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa said Friday, as he met Lebanon's President, Prime Minister and Speaker, that the talks are moving to Rome only for technical reasons to facilitate the movement of the ambassadors.

"What will take place in Rome is a continuation of what was agreed upon in Washington," Issa said, adding that "several meetings will be held in the Italian capital or elsewhere to follow up on implementation according to the agreed-upon phases."

Issa also said a U.S. delegation was expected to arrive in Lebanon soon to oversee the implementation of Israel's withdrawal from "pilot zones".

The meeting in Rome will focus on the implementation of the framework deal. Specifically, it aims to form specialized working groups tasked with executing what was agreed upon in Washington, Issa said.