UN agrees draft resolution text
The Middle Eastern conflict between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hizbullah could end very soon, international leaders have claimed.
A breakthrough at the UN headquarters in New York over negotiations surrounding the text of a draft resolution by the US and France has precipitated renewed hopes of a quick ending to fighting in the region.
John Bolton, US ambassador to the UN, told reporters that “we’re prepared to move as quickly as other members of the council want to move”.
Meanwhile UK prime minister Tony Blair, describing the agreement as a “vital first step”, said that “it should mean that on the adoption of the resolution by the full security council there will be a full cessation of hostilities”.
The resolution outlines a buffer zone to be policed by an international force similar to that desired by Israel in southern Lebanon in which Israeli forces would be able to defend themselves.
The text of the resolution, implementing an “immediate cessation of hostilities”, states that a ceasefire would be “based upon in particular the immediate cessation by Hizbullah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive operations”.
There are fears, however, that Israel will continue to conduct military operations under the cover of the ambiguous distinction between offensive and defensive actions.
Concerns have also been expressed that growing support for Hizbullah among the civilian Lebanese population, together with the continuing determination of its leadership to continue firing its missiles into Israel, will undermine a forced peace.
