Israel and Lebanon have agreed to renew ceasefire and create a number of pilot security zones inside Lebanon from which Hezbollah militants would be banned.

In a joint statement released after a fourth round of US-mediated talks at the State Department, the two sides said the ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from areas south of the Litani River.

It was not immediately clear how the security zones would be established, but the agreement calls for the Lebanese army to take full control of those areas. These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement.