Report: Issa asks Netanyahu to hand over the Ali al-Taher hill

Political negotiations between Lebanon and Israel will be held in Rome, while military talks may take place in Tampa, Florida, sources told Saudi channel Al-Hadath.

U.S. sources told the channel that Israel is refusing any further withdrawals from southern Lebanon before the completion of work in the so-called pilot zones. The sources added that Lebanon is assuring the Americans that it is fulfilling its obligations in the pilot zones without publicizing the matter.

The sources also stated that the U.S. Ambassador to Beirut, Michel Issa, is acting as a mediator between all parties and has asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his latest visit to Israel, to hand over the Ali Taher hill in the Nabatieh district.

The sources further noted that Lebanon and Israel are officially discussing the fate of Israelis missing since the 1980s.

Western diplomatic sources meanwhile revealed to MTV that Issa's visit was supposed to have taken place two months or more ago, but the war delayed it.

“Lebanon is awaiting his return from Tel Aviv to verify whether Israel is willing to cooperate with the direct negotiations track prior to its electoral juncture, and to explore its approach toward the implementation of the pilot zones and the verification mechanism,” MTV said.

“In light of that, the Sep. 15-16 date for the next round of negotiations in Rome would be settled,” the TV network added, noting that “Lebanon wants fruitful talks with a clear agenda on the eve of the Sep. 17 army support conference in Paris.”