Israel and Lebanon Agree to Ceasefire, Conditional on Hezbollah's Full Halt

(CNA Washington, 3rd Combined Foreign Reports) According to a joint statement issued after US-led talks in Washington, Israel and Lebanon agreed today to implement a ceasefire, but stated that this requires the Iran-backed Hezbollah to 'completely cease' hostilities.

AFP reports that the two countries, which have no formal diplomatic relations, also agreed to establish 'pilot zones' in which the Lebanese Armed Forces 'will assume exclusive control of the territory, excluding all non-state actors.'

The statement added that both sides agreed to 'resume further talks on political and security issues the week of June 22, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive agreement.'

According to Reuters, the statement stipulates that the ceasefire is conditional on the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia completely ceasing hostilities and withdrawing all personnel from the South Litani Sector. The two sides had agreed to a ceasefire last month, but hostilities continued.

Israel invaded Lebanon in March of this year to pursue Hezbollah, which had crossed the border to support Tehran.

Iran had stated that it would not agree to an agreement to end the conflict that erupted with the US and Israel at the end of February unless the ceasefire also covered Lebanon.

Today's statement indicated that Lebanon and Israel agreed to proceed with further direct negotiations to build trust and resolve other outstanding issues. (Editor: Li Peishan) 1150604