Diplomatic flurry in Israel over Lebanon war

Jerusalem, July 23: Envoys from three European countries joined intensifying diplomacy in Israel today aimed at ending fighting between Israeli forces and Hizbollah that has wrecked swathes of Lebanon and left hundreds dead.

Ministers from France, Germany and Britain are all due to hold separate talks with Israeli officials ahead of the arrival of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who heads for the Middle East today.

European countries have been far more critical of Israel's offensive than its main ally, the United States, which has resisted rowing calls for a ceasefire and made clear that it blames Iranian-backed Hizbollah for the crisis.

Few expect diplomacy to deliver swift results and an Israeli newspaper reported today that Israeli officials believe they have a green light from Washington to continue the onslaught on Hizbollah for at least another week.

Israeli attacks aimed at Hizbollah have killed some 357 Lebanese, most of them civilians, since the guerrilla group captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid on July 12. Israeli troops have edged into southern Lebanon.

A total of 35 Israelis have died, 15 of them civilians killed by Hizbollah rockets rained on the north of the country.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and British Foreign Office minister Kim Howells will all hold meetings with Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and other senior officials.

In Cairo yesterday before flying to Israel, Douste-Blazy reiterated France's call for an immediate ceasefire.

''If not, it will be the destruction of the Lebanese state,'' he said.

Howells, who during a stop in Beirut delivered Britain's strongest criticism yet of Israeli attacks, said: ''We want to find a way to resolve this crisis as soon as possible.'' Rice has said that an immediate ceasefire would produce a ''false promise'' that would allow Hizbollah to re-emerge to attack Israel instead of disarming the group, as foreseen under a UN resolution, and removing it from the border.

Foreign ministers from the world's most powerful countries and Arab states are due to hold an emergency meeting in Rome on Wednesday to discuss the crisis. No decision on international action is likely before that.

Israel's Haaretz newspaper said: ''Senior officials believe Israel has an American nod to continue operations against Hizbollah at least until next Sunday.''

Reuters