Israel, Lebanon to hold third round of talks in Washington next week

Representatives of Israel and Lebanon will hold their third round of talks in Washington on May 14 and 15, a US State Department official said on Thursday.

The US has been pressing the two countries to reach a lasting peace agreement even as Israel continues to strike Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon.

The announcement came a day after Israel's first strike on Beirut since Israel ​and Lebanon agreed to a fragile ceasefire in mid-April after the Trump administration gathered their ambassadors for rare direct talks.

The official did not say who would participate in the meeting.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that peace was achievable but required Lebanon's government to have the capability to fight Hezbollah.