The Lebanese negotiation team with Israel succeeded through quiet, open communications with the U.S. administration in arranging the anticipated military meeting in Tampa, Florida on the 20th of this month, a week before the Knesset elections that are at the top of Benjamin Netanyahu's agenda and his opposing forces.

While communications were underway in preparation for the eighth round of negotiations in Rome, officials in Tel Aviv were focusing on their legislative elections to outline their upcoming government, while Netanyahu was using all available means to remain in power.

Even the most optimistic did not believe that the next round would take place in these days leading up to the elections in Israel, amidst a rising wave of threats between America and Iran, and anticipation of the outcomes of their military messages accompanying their negotiations.

The Lebanese delegation will head to Florida, led by Ambassador Simon Karam, accompanied by Ambassador in Washington Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, along with military delegation members, to meet with the Israeli delegation, which has not hesitated to target "Hezbollah," which is unwilling to give up its weapons, in addition to its observations on the performance of the Lebanese army and its failure to execute the required role in the south, while discussing field clashes between the Lebanese and Israeli armies and avoiding a repeat of what happened in the town of Deir Mimass in Marjeyoun.  

Lebanese Determination

Sources accompanying "An-Nahar" confirm that those responsible for the negotiations file at the presidential palace, headed by President Joseph Aoun, conducted a series of communications with the American side responsible for arranging the negotiation table, which led to the scheduling of the next round "based on Lebanese determination," noting that the Israelis did not show the required enthusiasm for this date and did not hesitate to raise barriers and evade the upcoming round, similar to what they had done in previous rounds from Washington to Rome under the leadership of the Israeli ambassador in Washington, Michael Oren.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese delegation continues what was reached in the last round in Rome regarding the follow-up on experimental areas, starting from the eastern and western Zawtar and the vicinity of Nabatieh. Lebanon will focus on implementing the provisions of the framework agreement, with a commitment from the army to carry out the required tasks.

Why Florida?

In a sign that caught the attention of observers, the next round was scheduled in Tampa, Florida instead of Rome, based on American military considerations and the role of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and its missions in Lebanon under the supervision of the coordination group leader, General Joseph Clairfield, who maintains communications with Army Commander General Rudolf Haikal, in addition to military advisors in the President's team, following all developments in the south, amid the ongoing Israeli war machine that continues its assaults and demolitions of homes in dozens of towns in southern and northern Litani.