Lebanon ceasefire deal extended as initial deadline passes

The US and Lebanon say the ceasefire deal with Israel - which had been due to expire on Sunday - has been extended until mid-February.

Israel had kept troops deployed in Lebanon beyond the initial deadline, accusing the Lebanese government of not fully implementing its part of the deal, which required the removal of Hezbollah from the area.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati says, following contact from the US, the truce will now remain in place until 18 February.

The initial ceasefire plan, announced in late November, brought an end to 14 months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Brokered by the US and France, the agreement gave Hezbollah 60 days to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon and required Israeli forces to withdraw over the same period.