Bush says Rice to return to Wasia for talks

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) President George W Bush today said that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will return the West Asia tomorrow for more talks about the conflict in southern Lebanon.

Bush said he and visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair agreed that a international force for southern Lebanon should be sent quickly in order to help facilitate shipments of humanitarian aid.

Bush and Blair met against a backdrop of attacks between Israel and Hizbollah that have killed hundreds of civilians in Lebanon and northern Israel. Arab leaders have called for an immediate cease-fire.

''We agree that a multinational force must be dispatched to Lebanon quickly to augment the Lebanese army as it moves the south of that country. An effective multinational force will help speed delivery of humanitarian relief,'' Bush said.

Bush said Rice would make her second visit to the West Asia tomorrow.

''Her instructions are to work with Israel and Lebanon to come up with an acceptable UN Security Council resolution that we can table next week,'' he said.

Blair said he and Bush agreed a UN resolution is needed as soon as possible to stop hostilities in Lebanon.

Blair said it was important not only to get a cessation of violence but to use the opportunity to set out and achieve a ''different strategic direction for the whole of that region.'' ''We've got to deal with the immediate situation'' but also realize that the violence in recent weeks is part of a bigger picture that must be addressed, said Blair.

REUTERS SKU PM2300