The United States hailed “positive talks” on Thursday, as it sought to extend the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
The deal – which is believed to be still in place despite hundreds of deaths in Israeli attacks – expires on Sunday and tensions flared again when the two governments met in Washington.
Israel has invaded Lebanon and invaded its south in response to revenge attacks by the Shia Hezbollah movement following Israel’s killing of Iran’s top leader at the start of the war on February 28.
The ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon held the first of two days of talks at the US State Department, with Israel bringing together military officials.
“We had a full day of productive and positive talks,” a senior State Department official said, expecting more to speak on Friday.
A Lebanese official said that the country would seek “unification through a ceasefire” and said: “The first thing is to stop the death and destruction.”
