WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he will invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to visit the White House for peace talks, following a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries set to start hours later.
Trump wrote on social media that it would be "the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983."
"Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!" Trump added.
Earlier, Trump said he spoke with Netanyahu and Aoun and announced the 10-day ceasefire between the two countries would formally begin at 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (2100 GMT) on Thursday.
Israel and Lebanon held their first direct diplomatic talks since 1993 earlier this week in Washington, with both sides agreeing to launch "direct" negotiations after the meeting.
Lebanese health authorities said Wednesday that the cumulative death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the country has risen to 2,167, with 7,061 others injured since March 2. ■
