US says ceasefire deal in Lebanon is close

(Patria) - The United States believes that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah is "close", but negotiations are still ongoing, the White House announced, as reported by agencies.

"We believe we have reached this point where we are close," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, adding however that "we are not there yet" and that "the trajectory of this is going in a very positive direction, but again, nothing is done until everything is done, nothing is negotiated until everything is negotiated."

Kirby said it would be "irresponsible" to confirm media reports about the content of any ceasefire agreement, adding that he did not want to do "anything that could torpedo our chances".

President Joe Biden has been "very closely" following the progress of the negotiations and has been in direct contact with US envoy Amos Hochstein, who visited the region last week, he added.

Kirby declined to confirm media reports that Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce a deal on Tuesday, saying only that the two leaders discussed the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah last week.