TEHRAN: Lebanon and the Israeli regime extended their ceasefire for three weeks after a high-level meeting at the White House, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday.
Trump hosted Israel's ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese ambassador to the US Nada Moawad in the Oval Office for a second round of US-facilitated talks, a day after Israeli strikes killed at least five people including a journalist.
Trump said he looked forward to hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the near future.
Trump also spoke to reporters in the Oval Office alongside the participants in the meeting, saying he hoped the leaders would meet during the three-week cessation of hostilities. He said there was "a great chance" the two sides would reach a peace agreement this year.
A Lebanese official earlier said Beirut would push for an Israeli withdrawal, the return of Lebanese detained in Israel and a delineation of the land border in a next phase of negotiations, Reuters reported.
Lebanon's health ministry had earlier said an Israeli air strike had killed three people and artillery shelling wounded two others, including a child.
Wednesday was Lebanon's deadliest day since the ceasefire took effect on April 16.
Those killed by Israeli strikes included Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, according to a senior Lebanese military official and her employer, Al-Akhbar newspaper.
Nearly 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since the Israeli regime went on the offensive following Hezbollah's March 2 operation, according to Lebanese authorities.
Israel is occupying a belt of the south that extends 5 to 10 km into Lebanon. The Israeli regime's military reiterated a warning to residents of south Lebanon not to cross into the area.
