Jerusalem, July 7 (IANS) The next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon is expected to take place in Rome, Italy, next week, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Tuesday.

The meeting will mark the sixth round of negotiations between the two countries, following five ambassador-level talks held in Washington since April.

Sa’ar did not specify the exact date. Several Israeli media outlets quoted Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, as saying that the talks are expected to begin next Tuesday in Rome, Xinhua news agency reported.

Speaking at a meeting in Jerusalem alongside his German counterpart Johann Wadephul, Sa’ar said Israel seeks peace with its neighbours, but any agreement must be based on “security.”

The previous round, held in late June, ended with a framework agreement covering the withdrawal of Israeli forces from two areas in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are still conducting operations against Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, Antonion Tajani, Foreign Minister of Italy, has welcomed the choice of Rome as the next venue for US-facilitated direct peace negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, calling the Italian capital “a crossroads of peace and dialogue”.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has welcomed the choice of Rome as the next venue for US-facilitated direct peace negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, calling the Italian capital “a crossroads of peace and dialogue”, Italian news agency Adnkronos reported.

“Rome, crossroads of peace and dialogue. We warmly welcome the announcement that the next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon, facilitated by the United States, will be held in Rome,” Tajani wrote on X.

“Last April, I had communicated to the Lebanese and Israeli Governments Italy’s willingness to support the dialogue for peace in the region and to serve as the venue for the negotiations.

A choice stemming from the strong diplomatic commitment of our Government, its authoritative and credible role on the international political scene,” he added.

–IANS

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