Breaking: Israel and Lebanon renew ceasefire but Hezbollah not present at talks

Smoke billows from southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes. (Reuters: Stringer)

Lebanon and Israel have agreed to the implementation of a ceasefire, according to a joint statement with the United States.

The ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of fire from the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia, who were not present at the peace negotiations.

Another round of peace talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place in Washington on June 22.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire and create a number of "pilot" security zones inside Lebanon, from which Hezbollah militants will be banned.

The announcement was made in a joint statement with the United States after peace talks were held in Washington, without Hezbollah present.

The two sides said the ceasefire was "contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives" from areas south of the Litani River.

It was not immediately clear how the security zones would be established. However, the agreement calls for the Lebanese army to take full control of those areas.

Representatives from the US, Israel and Lebanon met in Washington this week. (AP: Rod Lamkey, Jr)

"These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement," the statement said.

The two sides had agreed last month to a ceasefire but hostilities continued.

"All countries reaffirmed that the future of the relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments.

"They rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon's future hostage."

The latter is a reference to Iran, which supports Hezbollah and has insisted that Israeli attacks on Lebanon be halted as part of a tentative agreement with the US to end the conflict with Iran.

During the latest round of talks, both Israel and Lebanon shared demands for lasting peace between the two nations.

Israel said it could only be comfortable with its security "through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantlement of its infrastructure throughout Lebanon".