Israel and Lebanon agree to extend ceasefire for 45 days

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend the ceasefire for 45 days more and engage in the US-brokered security discussions, US Department of State spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.

"On May 14 and 15, the United States hosted two days of highly-productive talks between Israel and Lebanon," he wrote on his X page. "The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress. The State Department will reconvene the political track of negotiations on June 2 and June 3. In addition, a security track will be launched at the Pentagon on May 29 with military delegations from both countries."

"We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border," he added.

Delegations from Lebanon and Israel met in Washington to discuss the terms for extending the ceasefire. The Lebanese delegation was led by former Ambassador to the United States Simon Karam, and the Israeli delegation - by Deputy National Security Advisor Joseph (Yossi) Draznin. The first round of talks on April 14 yielded an agreement on a ceasefire in Lebanon starting from April 17. The ceasefire was extended for three weeks after the second round on April 23.