EU waters down call for Lebanon ceasefire

BRUSSELS, Aug 1 (Reuters) European Union foreign ministers called today for an immediate end to hostilities in Lebanon, watering down demands for an immediate ceasefire at the insistence of the United States' closest allies.

A joint statement adopted at a rare August crisis meeting of the 25-nation bloc said: ''The Council calls for an immediate end to hostilities to be followed by a sustainable ceasefire.'' The convoluted formula, relayed by diplomats, was agreed after four hours of talks as Israel escalated attacks on Hizbollah guerrillas and vowed to step up ground operations, defying calls for a ceasefire.

The statement also said EU partners are ready to contribute troops to an international force in Lebanon.

Earlier a draft statement circulated by the EU's Finnish presidency as ministers began the meeting said: ''The Council called for an immediate ceasefire.'' Diplomats said France, Sweden, Spain and Greece backed the draft but Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland wanted an alternative wording calling for a cessation of hostilities.

Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, chairing the meeting, had said the EU must take a united stance at the risk of spelling out its difference with the United States, which backs Israel.

Reuters SBA GC2136