What will Lebanon-Israel military talks discuss?

The Lebanese military delegation to the May 29 talks with Israel at the Pentagon is expected to be formed within the next two days, although its composition will remain confidential for now, sources told the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper.

Regarding the Shiite officer, the sources noted that the military establishment is handling this matter, and that the criteria for selecting members of the military delegation are not subject to the same standards governing the formation of diplomatic or political delegations. The sources anticipate that the delegation will depart for Washington before Eid al-Adha.

On the de-escalation front, President Joseph Aoun initiated contacts with the American side on Wednesday and is still awaiting a response.

Sources meanwhile told al-Binaa newspaper that the military negotiations scheduled for May 29 aim to establish a joint military committee comprised of the Lebanese and Israeli armies for direct security and military coordination "against Hezbollah."

"Israel is expected to provide Lebanon with maps and targets of Hezbollah centers, tunnels and weapons depots in the North Litani area and the Bekaa Valley, enabling the Lebanese army to dismantle them. The sources reveal that the security negotiations in May and the political negotiations in June aim to develop practical security, military, political and technical mechanisms for implementing the provisions of the U.S. State Department document," al-Binaa said.

"These include ending the state of hostility with Israel, preserving Israel's right to self-defense, and partnering with the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah," the daily said.

While reports indicate that the Lebanese government is pressuring the Lebanese Army Command to send technical officers to the negotiating delegation participating in the Washington military talks, al-Binaa has learned that "the Lebanese Army Command rejects any direct coordination with the Israeli army against Hezbollah or any other internal faction."

According to al-Binaa, the head of the negotiating delegation, former Ambassador Simon Karam, briefed President Aoun and PM Nawaf Salam on the details of the Washington negotiations and held consultations with them to coordinate meetings in Washington later this month.