India, May 16 -- The US State Department on Friday announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire by 45 days following two days of mediated talks hosted by the United States.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a post on X: "On May 14 and 15, the United States hosted two days of highly productive talks between Israel and Lebanon. The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress."

Pigott said the State Department will reconvene the political track of negotiations on June 2 and June 3, while a separate security track involving military delegations from both countries will begin at the Pentagon on May 29.

"We hope these discussions will advance lasting pea...