Lebanese army begins talks with Daesh

The Lebanese army began mediated talks with Daesh terrorist organization on Sunday as a ceasefire took effect in its offensive against the terrorists at the northeast border with Syria, a security source said.

The ceasefire started at 7:00 a.m. (0400 GMT) to allow for negotiations over the fate of nine Lebanese soldiers who have been in Daesh captivity since 2014, the army said.

Lebanon's Hezbollah and the Syrian army also declared a ceasefire in their own assault against Daesh on the other side of the border, in Syria's west Qalamoun region, Hezbollah's al-Manar TV said.

Under the ceasefire, Hezbollah members have entered an area of west Qalamoun to confirm that Lebanese soldiers held by Daesh are buried there, the source said.