The US State Department has confirmed that the next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon will be held in Rome on August 4 through 6, as Israel prepares to withdraw from two “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon, AFP reports.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani first announced the next round of US-mediated talks last week, with a State Department official detailing the talks to AFP on the condition of anonymity.

“In Rome, technical groups will focus on advancing the full implementation of the framework agreement,” the official told AFP, adding that the planned discussion “includes expanding the pilot zone process, resolving all outstanding border issues, and working on a comprehensive peace and security agreement.”

“The experience of the initial zones will help us perfect pilot-zone implementation so it can expand in a phased manner,” the US official added.