The ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel brokered by the United States and France was characterized by President Biden as an attempt to deliver a "permanent cessation of hostilities."

Israel will gradually withdraw its forces over 60 days as Lebanon's army takes control of territory near its border with Israel to ensure that Hezbollah does not rebuild its infrastructure there, Biden said.

Israel has objected to France being involved in the implementation of a ceasefire in one of the final hurdles to a peace deal in Lebanon. Negotiators are approaching an agreement to end the almost 13-month long conflict after Israel invaded Lebanon on Oct 1 in an effort to push Hezbollah,