UN Delegation Presents Cease-Fire Ideas to Israel
18 July 2006
U.N. diplomat Terje Roed-Larson says a U.N. delegation has presented Israel with "concrete ideas" on ways to end the violence between Israel and Hezbollah.
Roed-Larson met with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Jerusalem, Tuesday. Roed-Larson said a political framework is necessary to end hostilities. He did not elaborate.
Livni said Israel will be ready for a cease-fire if Hezbollah returns captured soldiers and Lebanese troops take over control of areas along the Israel border. She said Israel also needs a guarantee of future disarmament of Hezbollah.
The U.N. team led by envoy Vijay Nambiar held talks with Lebanese officials in Beirut Monday.
In Brussels Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for a bigger, better armed international force to stabilize southern Lebanon, and allow the Lebanese government time to disarm Hezbollah.
Mr. Annan said it is "urgent that the international community acts to make a difference on the ground." He said he expected European nations to contribute to any new force in southern Lebanon. European Union Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana, standing at Mr. Annan's side, said the bloc is ready to help.
Israeli officials said it is too early to consider sending such a force to the border area.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
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