Trump announces 10-day Lebanon ceasefire, says Iran nuclear deal is ‘close’

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, stating he has invited the leaders of Israel and Lebanon for peace talks at the White House within two weeks.

Trump also told reporters Thursday that the United States is close to reaching a nuclear deal with Iran.

“I had a great talk with both of them today,” Trump said. “They’re going to be having a ceasefire and that will include Hezbollah.”

The president appeared upbeat about the prospects for peace after announcing on social media a pause in hostilities in southern Lebanon, effective 5 p.m. Eastern time today. Trump said he expects the meeting between the Israeli prime minister and Lebanese president to happen at the White House within 14 days.

“It’s very exciting,” Trump said. “I think we’re going to have a deal, we’re going to have a meeting — first time in 44 years. And Lebanon will be meeting with Israel. And they’re probably going to do it at the White House.”

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he welcomes the ceasefire. While Israel is not fighting the country of Lebanon itself, it is engaged in conflict with the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah within its borders. A top official for the group said they will abide by the pause if Israel stops its attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the ceasefire a “historic opportunity for peace.” However, he noted that Israeli troops will remain in a 10-kilometre security zone inside southern Lebanon — a move that goes against a Hezbollah demand for withdrawal.

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The human cost of the conflict was highlighted again Thursday as another person killed in Israeli strikes was laid to rest. More than 2,100 people have been killed in Lebanon since fighting began shortly after the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. Hezbollah responded to that war by firing rockets into Israel, prompting heavy retaliation.

Most of the fighting and casualties have occurred in the south. Two Israeli civilians and more than a dozen soldiers have also been killed.

The Israeli offensive in Lebanon has been a key sticking point in negotiations to end the U.S.-Iran war.

“We had to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “And we’re at that. They’ve agreed to that. They’ve totally agreed to that. They’ve agreed to almost everything.”

Trump said he is confident a deal with Iran will come soon, with another round of talks possible as early as this weekend. The last round of talks, mediated by and held in Pakistan, failed to reach an agreement.

Pakistan’s army chief met with officials in Tehran today as the U.S. naval blockade of Iran persists.

A two-week truce between Iran, Israel and the U.S. brokered by Pakistan is set to expire next Wednesday. That agreement did not include Israeli strikes against Hezbollah.

Trump said an extension of that truce may be necessary if a final deal with Iran cannot be reached in time.

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