US-French draft authorizes up to 15,000 UN troops

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A revised U.S.-French Security Council draft resolution authorizes up to 15,000 U.N. troops to monitor a withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from southern Lebanon and help the Lebanese army enforce a truce.

The text, obtained by Reuters, was distributed to the 15 U.N. council members in hopes of a vote later on Friday.

The draft calls for a "full cessation of hostilities" and tells the Hizbollah militia to stop all attacks immediately and for Israel to end "all offensive operations."

After fighting stops, Israel is to withdraw all its forces from southern Lebanon at the earliest. Lebanon is to deploy its armed forces throughout southern Lebanon, which Hizbollah controls, as the Israeli army pulls out.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060811/wl_nm/mideast_un_dc

So the Israeli forces blow them up?

:sarcasm:

I guess since they are serving French Fries again in DC, we're pals again. :D

JERUSALEM - In a dramatic game of brinksmanship, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ordered an expanded ground war in Lebanon because of dissatisfaction over an emerging U.N. cease-fire deal, but later Friday indicated he might be ready to accept an amended version.


The zigzag reflected Israel's dilemma after a month of fighting. Israel has been unable to defeat Hezbollah by force and is concerned about growing Israeli casualties and international condemnation if the war persists. However, Olmert also fears accepting a cease-fire deal that does not rein in the guerrillas could lead to another war and hurt him politically.

The day's tumultuous events began with a decision by Olmert, after consultations with his defense minister, to send troops deeper into Hezbollah territory — even as U.N. Security Council negotiations neared an end.

Still, that order was coupled with signals from Israel that it could halt the offensive if a cease-fire arrangement meets its demands, particularly for a strong multinational force. "There is no question whatsoever that the military operation can be stopped at any time," Israeli government spokeswoman Miri Eisen told CNN.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060811/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel