Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has called for a clear timetable for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory, as the group Hezbollah sharply criticized Beirut's handling of the negotiations. The Prime Minister's office released a statement on Friday detailing Salam's meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa and General Joseph Clearfield, head of the U.S. military coordination group for Lebanon.

During the meeting, Salam discussed the military aspects of the negotiation framework with Israel and recent developments in southern Lebanon. He emphasized the necessity for Israel to cease its "destruction operations," broaden "pilot areas," and establish a definite schedule for its troop withdrawal from Lebanese land. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri also met with the same U.S. officials, highlighting Israel's "continued violations and attacks on Lebanon," including village demolitions, farmland destruction, forest fires, and damage to heritage sites. Berri stated that the key to achieving stability lies in compelling Israel to end its military actions and retreat to the international border.

Hezbollah's leader, Naim Qassem, voiced strong opposition to the Lebanese government's strategy. Qassem accused Lebanese officials of subjecting the army to "undue pressure" by pursuing an agreement he deemed "non-functional." He questioned the rationale behind exposing the Lebanese army to bombardment and Israeli pressure instead of acting as its protector. Qassem alleged that Israel aims to impose an oversight body that would control the army's deployment and internal operations.

Qassem further pointed to ongoing Israeli strikes on homes and demolitions of tunnels within Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, the designated pilot zone, despite the presence of the Lebanese army. He challenged the officials to demonstrate any tangible achievement from the seven rounds of negotiations. U.S. Ambassador Issa, speaking to reporters, linked the cessation of Israeli attacks to Hezbollah's disarmament, stating, "If they give up their weapons, everything will stop."

The current trilateral framework, initiated in June and involving the U.S., outlines the disarmament of Hezbollah and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. The ongoing tensions underscore the complex geopolitical landscape and the diverging interests of key actors in the region.

U.S. officials have characterized the discussions as "positive" and indicated that negotiations would persist, although no specific date for the next round was provided. The U.S. military coordination group's involvement suggests a significant diplomatic and potentially security-related effort to de-escalate the situation.

The situation in southern Lebanon remains volatile, with accusations and counter-accusations from both sides fueling uncertainty. The demand for a clear withdrawal timetable by Lebanon's Prime Minister signals a desire for concrete progress, while Hezbollah's staunch stance highlights the deep-seated challenges in achieving a lasting resolution.

Further diplomatic efforts are expected as international actors attempt to mediate between Lebanon, Israel, and Hezbollah. The effectiveness of these negotiations will likely depend on the willingness of all parties to compromise and the U.S.'s ability to influence Israeli actions and facilitate Hezbollah's disarmament.