Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) extensions are described that enable distribution of neighbor-label mappings for directly connected neighbor routers. A router capable of supporting the LDP extensions distributes neighbor-labels to be used by the router to label switch traffic destined for the directly connected neighbor router irrespective of a hop-by-hop Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) path determined based on link metrics. In some examples, the neighbor-labels may increase backup coverage, e.g., link protection and/or node protection, in a network that, due to link metrics, does not have a viable loop-free alternate (LFA) path between an ingress router and an egress router of a label switched path (LSP). In other examples, the neighbor-labels may improve load balancing by enabling an ingress router in a first autonomous system (AS) to select a particular remote link on which to send traffic destined for remote routers in a second AS.