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Ceasefire with 'Islamic State' on Syria-Lebanon border Ceasefire with 'Islamic State' on Syria-Lebanon border
(35 minutes later)
A ceasefire has been declared in offensives against so-called Islamic State on the Syria-Lebanon border.A ceasefire has been declared in offensives against so-called Islamic State on the Syria-Lebanon border.
The militants have been fighting the Lebanese army on one front, and Hezbollah with the Syrian army on the other.The militants have been fighting the Lebanese army on one front, and Hezbollah with the Syrian army on the other.
Lebanon's army said the pause in operations would enable talks over the fate of kidnapped soldiers.Lebanon's army said the pause in operations would enable talks over the fate of kidnapped soldiers.
Nine troops were taken hostage when IS overran the border town of Arsal in 2014. Their fate is currently unknown.Nine troops were taken hostage when IS overran the border town of Arsal in 2014. Their fate is currently unknown.
Both ceasefires came into effect at 07:00 (04:00 GMT).Both ceasefires came into effect at 07:00 (04:00 GMT).
The twin offensives by the Lebanese army, and the Syrian army and its Lebanese militia ally Hezbollah, have advanced towards the border from opposite sides.The twin offensives by the Lebanese army, and the Syrian army and its Lebanese militia ally Hezbollah, have advanced towards the border from opposite sides.
Lebanon's army has been fighting IS near the town of Ras Baalbek, while the Syrian army and Hezbollah attack from Syria's west Qalamoun region.Lebanon's army has been fighting IS near the town of Ras Baalbek, while the Syrian army and Hezbollah attack from Syria's west Qalamoun region.
The Lebanese army insists it is not coordinating with Hezbollah, which the US classes as a terrorist group.The Lebanese army insists it is not coordinating with Hezbollah, which the US classes as a terrorist group.
Any such liaison would be politically sensitive in Lebanon, and could jeopardise the sizeable US military aid it receives.Any such liaison would be politically sensitive in Lebanon, and could jeopardise the sizeable US military aid it receives.
Last week, Lebanon and Hezbollah each announced they had made significant gains against IS militants, driving them back into a smaller part of the mountainous border enclave.Last week, Lebanon and Hezbollah each announced they had made significant gains against IS militants, driving them back into a smaller part of the mountainous border enclave.
Lebanon has said the nine troops taken hostage by IS are its "top concern" in the offensive against an estimated 600 IS fighters.Lebanon has said the nine troops taken hostage by IS are its "top concern" in the offensive against an estimated 600 IS fighters.
Some 30 soldiers and police were captured in Arsal, of whom four were executed and a fifth died of his wounds. Sixteen were released in a prisoner swap in December 2015.Some 30 soldiers and police were captured in Arsal, of whom four were executed and a fifth died of his wounds. Sixteen were released in a prisoner swap in December 2015.
"There has been no timeframe set" for the truce, an army source told AFP."There has been no timeframe set" for the truce, an army source told AFP.
"The negotiations are ongoing for IS to withdraw and provide information on the fate of the troops.""The negotiations are ongoing for IS to withdraw and provide information on the fate of the troops."
The area around Arsal is home to tens of thousands of refugees from the war in Syria. The influx has heightened sectarian tensions inside Lebanon since the conflict began in 2011.