Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Diplomats wrangle over UN draft

Talks are being held at the United Nations on possible changes to a draft resolution aimed at ending the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.




An Arab League delegation is travelling to New York to push Lebanon's demands for an amended text. Lebanon wants the proposed resolution to call for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The Lebanese government has offered to send 15,000 troops to the border when Israel pulls out. Lebanon is pressing for the US to accept that plan and work it into the draft resolution.

The current text - drafted by the US and France - calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and lays the groundwork for a second that would install an international peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

At least 49 people have died in fresh Israeli raids across Lebanon, while Hezbollah fired more than 100 rockets at Israel, wounding some civilians. After nightfall, at least 15 people were killed and several wounded in an Israeli air strike in the south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, rescue workers said.

Source BBC

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