Lebanon: ceasefire resolution needs immediate Israelis exit

The United States said it is prepared to vote quickly on a draft resolution to end the hostilities in Lebanon presented to the Security Council, US Ambassador John Bolton said today.

The text of the resolution worked out by the United States and France, "begins the process of putting in place the foundation for a lasting solution to the problem. Obviously this resolution alone isn't that solution, but it is the beginning," Bolton told journalists before a closed Security Council meeting to review the text.

The objective of the resolution, he said, "is to bring a lasting solution as quickly as possible." "We want this to be a transformational solution that moves the region beyond the status quo," he said.

French Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere said that with the presentation of the text will come "a diplomatic campaign to help the parties support and agree in principle" to the resolution. "This is a unique opportunity for the people of Lebanon and the people of Israel," he said.

While it is unclear how long the other members of the 15-nation council will take to review the text, de la Sabliere said "the sooner the better" for a vote.

The resolution sets out the sequence of events beginning with cessation of hostilities and moving to an agreement in principle by the parties for a lasting solution, followed by the deployment of a UN mandated force to support the Lebanese armed forces. A second resolution would be needed for the force's deployment, but the current resolution stipulates that the force would be set up under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which allows the peacekeepers to use force to carry out the mandate.

The text calls for a full cessation of hostilities based upon "immediate cessation by Hizbullah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive" ground, naval and air operations.

It calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent cease-fire and agree on a long-term solution based on seven elements, including strict respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Israel and Lebanon; full respect by both sides of the so-called Blue Line which delineates the Israeli-Lebanese border; and disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon so there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state.

Haaretz reported that "A source in Jerusalem said the seven ministers meeting in Tel Aviv would not discuss the possible occupation of the area up to the Litani River, proposed several days ago," adding that "Israel has lifted its demand for the deployment of a new multinational force in southern Lebanon and agreed that UNIFIL, the United Nations force already in place, would oversee the cease-fire."

The Washington Post reported that a Lebanese Foreign Ministry official "immediately objected to part of the text, saying the draft did not call for immediate Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and other measures," adding Nouhad Mahmoud said "the text must address the concerns of the Lebanese people, 'Otherwise it won't fly.'" in part because Israeli troops would remain in Lebanon and occupied Shabaa farms would not be "transferred to UN control as Lebanon had requested."

It was not clear if Lebanon was seeking monetary damages from Israel's destruction.