US extends Israel-Lebanon ceasefire by 45 days after Washington talks

Ceasefire extension

The United States announced on Friday that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by 45 days following what Washington described as highly productive talks between the two sides at the State Department, even as Israeli attacks in Lebanon have continued since the US-mediated truce took effect in mid-April.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said on the social media platform X that the April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended to enable further diplomatic progress. "The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," Pigott stated, noting that the announcement came despite continued Israeli military operations in Lebanese territory since the truce began.

Negotiation tracks

The State Department will reconvene the political negotiations track on June 2-3, Pigott said, adding that a separate security track involving military delegations from both countries will launch at the Pentagon on May 29. "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 said.

Washington talks

The announcement followed a third round of US-mediated negotiations held at the State Department, which a spokesperson described to Anadolu Agency as "very positive, even exceeding expectations." State Department Counselor Michael Needham, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa represented Washington, while Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Lebanese presidential envoy Simon Karam represented Beirut, according to a department official.