The US envoy to Lebanon said Washington will negotiate a ceasefire with Israel after Beirut backed a US plan for Hezbollah’s disarmament. Hezbollah vowed defiance, raising fears of renewed instability amid Lebanon’s ongoing crisis.

BEIRUT (AP) — The U.S. special envoy to Lebanon said Monday that his team would discuss the long-term cessation of hostilities with Israel, after Beirut endorsed a U.S.-backed plan for the Hezbollah militant group to disarm.

Under phase one of the US-backed plan, the Lebanese government is to issue a decision committing to Hezbollah’s full disarmament by the end of the year – which it now has – and Israel will cease military operations in Lebanese territory.