France, US Agree on Cease-Fire in Lebanon
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Date: 8/5/2006 12:31:54 PM
Sender: By VOA News
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France, US Agree on Cease-Fire in Lebanon
By VOA News
05 August 2006
US ambassador to UN, John Bolton, leaves the building of the French Mission to UN announcing an agreement after a private meeting with French ambassador to UN, Aug. 5, 2006
The United States and France have agreed on a proposed United Nations resolution to bring an end to the fighting in Lebanon.
French and American officials announced the draft resolution Saturday. It calls for a full cessation of hostilities to be followed by work on a permanent cease-fire and a long-term solution for Lebanon.
A Hezbollah official, Cabinet minister Mohammed Fneish, said Saturday the group will accept a cease-fire once all Israeli troops have left Lebanon. Israel has not responded to the news.
Earlier this month, Israel＇s prime minister, Ehud Olmert, said his country will continue fighting until an international force is in place.
Media reports quoting unnamed diplomats say the proposed resolution would allow Israel to respond to any Hezbollah attacks.
The U.N. Security Council is to meet later Saturday to review the text.
The agreement follows non-stop negotiations between France and the U.S.
In London, British Prime Minister Tony Blair called the resolution a vital first step in ending the crisis.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Texas for talks with President Bush.
Assistant U.S. Secretary of State David Welch, left, meets with Lebanon＇s Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, right, in Beirut, Aug. 5, 2006
Earlier Saturday, Assistant Secretary of State David Welch met in Beirut with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and with parliament speaker Nabih Berri of the Shi＇ite Amal movement, which has close ties to Syria.
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