Israeli cabinet meets to weigh UN resolution

Jerusalem, Aug 13: Israel's cabinet convened today for a session at which ministers were expected to approve a UN Security Council resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities with Hizbollah in Lebanon.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said yesterday that the prime ministers of Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a ceasefire from 1000 hours on August 14, putting an end to a conflict that began on July 12, when Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers.

The resolution, approved by the Security Council on Friday, calls for a ''full cessation of hostilities'' in the war that has killed over 1,060 people in Lebanon and 140 Israelis.

The resolution envisages a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon when violence subsides and 15,000 Lebanese troops deploy along with UN peacekeepers.

Israel has stepped up military operations in Lebanon ahead of the ceasefire, and tripled its forces in southern Lebanon to 30,000 yesterday.

Reuters

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