US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein arrived on Monday after visiting Saudi Arabia, where he discussed developments in Lebanon amid concerns over the fragility of a truce with Israel that took effect on 27 November.
Hochstein, who led over a year of shuttle diplomacy to broker the Hezbollah-Israel deal, will co-chair a US-led monitoring committee meeting on Monday in the southern Ras Naqoura border area. The committee includes representatives from France, a UN peacekeeping mission, Lebanon, and Israel.
The US diplomat is expected to propose extending the 60-day timeframe for the implementation of the ceasefire, according to several Lebanese and Israeli media reports.
The initial period may be extended to 90 days or possibly until April, Al-Akhbar newspaper reported, adding that there were frustrations over the possible extension conveyed by Lebanese officials, including Speaker Nabih Berri and the army chief, General Joseph Aoun.
Israel's state-run Kan had also reported that Israeli soldiers would not withdraw from south Lebanon when the 60-day period stipulated in the ceasefire agreement expires.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Sunday that there would be "no agreement" unless Hezbollah retreats "beyond the Litani River".
Meanwhile, Hezbollah's new leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, cautioned that the group's patience with Israeli violations might expire before the 60-day ceasefire implementation period concludes.
Israeli forces continued their ground operations in southern Lebanon, advancing into areas they had failed to reach previously.
Armoured patrols were reported in Kfar Kila and Burj al-Muluk, where roads were blocked with barbed wire before Israeli units retreated.
Infantry forces also entered Deir Mimas, Bani Hayyan and Houla, where several homes were set on fire, according to Lebanese media. Shelling was also reported across the southern border towns.
Hochstein is also expected to discuss the issue of electing a president with Lebanese key players, pushing for the election of army general Aoun. Saudi Arabia has .
Lebanese media reported that Hochstein will tie the election of a president to the release of funds for Lebanon's reconstruction, contending that without a president capable of upholding the ceasefire deal, Israel would not withdraw from Lebanon and the military escalation could intensify.
Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa said on Sunday that his party would not "veto" electing Aoun as president.
"The only veto to us is on (Lebanese Forces leader) Samir Geagea," Safa said.
The Lebanese group had wanted the head of the Marada Movement Suleiman Frangieh as their preferred candidate.
Hochstein's visit comes three days before the parliamentary session scheduled for 9 January for the election of a president in Lebanon, after more than two years of vacancy, due to the lack of consensus on a candidate.