Top updates: 10-day ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon takes effect

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon began on Friday, leading to celebrations across Lebanese capital Beirut, AP reported.

United States President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire on social media after saying that he had “excellent conversations” with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

While Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is not formally part of the agreement, Trump said he hoped that it “acts nicely and well during this important period of time”.

Here are more top updates from the conflict in West Asia:

• Israel-Lebanon ceasefire: The Lebanese Army reported “acts of aggression” by Israel after the ceasefire came into force and urged residents in southern areas to exercise caution due to alleged violations, AFP reported. The Army has also urged displaced people not to rush back to affected areas until conditions become clearer.
• Israel has said its troops will remain in an expanded security zone in southern Lebanon during the ceasefire, with Netanyahu stating this position would not change, AP reported. “It is a security strip that begins at the sea and continues to Mount Dov and the outskirts of Mount Hermon up to the Syrian border,” he said in a video statement.
• Hezbollah has warned that continued Israeli presence would justify resistance, AP reported. The Lebanese militant group has not formally endorsed the ceasefire...

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