UK's Blair says UN resolution "vital first step"

LONDON, Aug 5 (Reuters) British Prime Minister Tony Blair today welcomed a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for an end to the Lebanon conflict, saying it was a ''vital first step in bringing this tragic crisis to an end''.

''The priority now is to get the resolution adopted as soon as possible and then to work for a permanent ceasefire and achieve the conditions in Lebanon and Israel which will prevent a recurrence,'' Mr Blair said in a statement.

He commented after the United States and France reached agreement on a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the fighting as the first step towards a political settlement of the conflict.

Mr Blair, who delayed a holiday to take part in talks on the resolution, has faced strong criticism from many Britons, including some members of his own Labour Party, for failing to call for an immediate halt to the fighting between Israel and Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas.

He said the world must not lose sight of the ''Palestinian dimension'' which he said was the root cause of the conflict.

''I will work tirelessly to re-energise West Asia peace process which is the only way to provide a viable, long-term solution to this situation, with a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel,'' he added.

The full 15-nation Security Council was scheduled to meet later today to review the text of the resolution, which is expected to be adopted within the next few days.

Mr Blair, who has been busy working the phones for the past week in search of agreement on a UN resolution, spoke earlier today to Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, promising him that Britain would play an active role in supporting humanitarian efforts in Lebanon, a spokesman for Blair said.

REUTERS SHB RK2138