A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon appeared to be holding on Friday, a breakthrough that could provide critical relief to Washington’s strained temporary truce with Tehran

Announcing the ceasefire, which came into effect at 5pm EST Thursday (5am Friday Hong Kong time), US President Donald Trump said it followed what he described as “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

“These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries,” he wrote on social media.

In a separate post, Trump said he would be inviting the leaders from the two countries to the White House for “the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983” and that “both sides want to see PEACE”.

“I believe that will happen, quickly!” he added.

The developments may help defuse a key sticking point in Trump’s broader truce with Iran, with Tehran earlier insisting that the truce be extended to Lebanon. Washington had rejected that demand.