What we know:
- US President Joe Biden says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire deal to end fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon
- He says the deal will take effect from 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT) tomorrow
- Earlier, Israel launched extensive air strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after its military issued evacuation orders in the area
- Israeli troops began a land invasion of Lebanon almost two months ago, in response to almost a year of rocket attacks from Hezbollah
- A ceasefire in Lebanon would not directly affect Israel’s war in Gaza
Lebanese PM calls on parties to implement and adhere to Resolution 1701
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has welcomed the ceasefire agreement during a phone call with US President Joe Biden.
A statement from Mikati said he had reviewed the terms of the deal this evening and that he sees it as a “fundamental step towards restoring calm and stability in Lebanon and enabling displaced persons to return to their towns and cities”.
It also contributes to establishing regional stability, the statement says.
“While I value the joint efforts of the United States and France in reaching this understanding, I reaffirm the government’s commitment to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, enhancing the presence of the Lebanese Army in the South, and cooperating with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),” he says.
Mikati then calls on the international community to “fulfil their responsibilities in this regard”.
For context, Resolution 1701 ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, but while it was accepted, was never fully implemented.