Lebanon says progress made on border, prisoner issues in Rome talks with Israel

BEIRUT, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Friday that progress had been made on border issues and the return of prisoners during the latest negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in Rome.

Speaking at a cabinet session, Aoun said the Rome talks addressed four main issues: a ceasefire, the demolition and bulldozing of houses, the border, and the return of prisoners and the identification of pilot areas, according to a statement released by the Lebanese presidency.

Aoun said "positive progress" had been made on the border and prisoners' issues, expressing hope that practical steps would emerge soon, the statement said.

He said the U.S. administration would work to address the remaining issues of a ceasefire and pilot areas, adding that U.S. General Joseph Clearfield would arrive in Beirut soon to follow up on these matters.

The remarks came a day after Israeli and Lebanese officials finished three days of negotiations in Rome aimed at advancing security arrangements along their border and implementing a framework agreement reached in Washington in late June, local media reported. The talks, opposed by Hezbollah, are the seventh round of negotiations between the two governments. Enditem