The president provided Karam with his “directives for the next stage,” the the Presidential office added. Israel reportedly refused in the talks to withdraw from more areas of south Lebanon unless the Lebanese Army achieves full control of an initial two “pilot zones.” Under a US-brokered framework agreement, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) began deploying into southern pilot zones like Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, Froun, and Srifa. An Israeli official told AFP the pilot plan’s expansion was “not automatic” and would only grow if the Israeli government sees results. Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the direct talks between Lebanon Israel and the US and refuses to hand over its ams to the Lebanese Army despite Aoun’s directive