The U.S. State Department said that pilot-area operations began today in the towns of Froun, Srifa, and Western Zawtar, as part of the trilateral framework and under the supervision of the Lebanon Special Coordination Military Group.

The statement described the development as a significant milestone resulting directly from the talks held last week between Lebanon and Israel in Rome.

"The United States will continue working closely with both sides to implement this framework and bring it to a successful completion," the statement added.