UNITED NATIONS, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council held closed-door consultations on Monday on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon but failed to decide what the world body should do to stop the bloodshed.

    The 15-member council had convened on the same agenda Saturday, reaching no agreement on adopting a statement calling for a ceasefire, with Lebanon accusing the United States of blocking the effort.

    "Whatever measures can be taken, even humanitarian measures, cannot be taken under fire," Nouhad Mahmoud, the Lebanese special envoy, said. "That's the urgent thing ... without the ceasefire, nothing can be achieved."

    U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said he expects no decision from the council until a three-member UN crisis team dispatched to the Middle East returns and reports back to the council.

    The team, which Secretary-General Kofi Annan decided to send to the region last week, has already visited Egypt and is now holding meetings with Lebanese officials in Beirut. The team also planned to travel to Syria, Jordan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    Speaking to reporters after the council wrapped up the meeting, Ibrahim Gambari, UN undersecretary general for political affairs, said he briefed the council on the situation in the Middle East.

    Describing what was happening in the region as a "situation of open war," he said the conflict would bring devastating consequences to not only Lebanon and Israel, but also the entire Middle East.

    He also noted that the humanitarian situation in Lebanon "is becoming more sever," saying the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs was dispatching a four-member team to Beirut and Damascus to provide emergency humanitarian coordination support.

    French Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said it was important for the council to work on "a contribution for a sustainable solution," noting that work towards such a lasting solution was much more important than any resolution, press statement or other declaration that could be produced quickly.

    "There have been many thoughts and discussions going on and we have to take stock of all these ideas and work on a contribution of the council towards a sustainable solution," he replied to a question about a proposed multinational force and other possible long-term measures.

    World leaders at the Group of Eight summit in Russia have called for the deployment of a multinational peacekeeping force, also backed by the UN chief.

    Following meetings with the Group of Eight leaders in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Annan called on the Security Council to study the possibility of sending a "stabilization force."

    After Monday's consultations, the French and U.S. ambassadors called for the implementation of resolution 1559 adopted by the council in September, 2004 which called for the withdrawal of all remaining foreign forces from Lebanon, disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias.

    The fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas over the past week has claimed the lives of over 200 people in Lebanon and about 24 in Israel. Enditem

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Israel not to stop assault until soldiers freed

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addresses Knesset (Parliament) in Jerusalem, July 17, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

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    JERUSALEM, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed on Monday to continue a massive assault in Lebanon before Hezbollah returned two captive Israeli soldiers, stopped rocket attacks on Israel and pulled back from borders with Israel.

    Addressing Knesset (Parliament), Olmert said Israel would consider cease-fire only when Hezbollah freed the two soldiers, stop rocket attacks and Lebanese army deployed along the border in southern Lebanon.

    Meanwhile, Olmert vowed that Israel would have no mercy on "terrorists who launched missiles at our residents and our towns". He reiterated that Lebanese government should take the responsibility for the abduction of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah, and accused Iran and Syria of sponsoring the group with weapons and money.

    He also said that Israel had the right to fight for a normal life, adding that it was a moment of vital importance to Israel's security.

    Meanwhile, Israeli left-wing protestors held a protest outside of the Knesset, denouncing the military operation as "the bloodbath" of Lebanese civilians.

    Israel continued air and artillery bombardment on Lebanese targets for the sixth consecutive day on Monday. The Lebanese death toll from Israeli offensive since last Wednesday has exceeded 200, mostly civilians, medics and police said. Enditem

Hezbollah: fight against Israel just begins 

Photo dated on May 4th, 2006 shows a file photo of Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah.  (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    BEIRUT, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said on Hezbollah's al-Manar TV on Sunday that his group's fight against Israel just began.

    "Our fight against the enemy is just a beginning," Nasrallah said in the video tape.

    He said that Hezbollah's strength was not harmed by Israeli massive offensive in the past five days. "We are in full strength and we'll give them more surprise on the land."

    He vowed to use all means to exercise the right of resistance." As long as the enemy has no limits, we will have no limits."

    He declared that Hezbollah was not fighting a battle for the group or Lebanon only, but also for the whole Arab world.

    It was Nasrallah's first television appearance since a wave of Israeli bombardments against his headquarters on Beirut's southern suburbs in the wake of Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers on Wednesday. Enditem

Lebanese president accuses UN of delay

    On Sunday, the Lebanese President, Emile Lahoud, said the postponement of the Security Council's meeting is giving Israel extra time to make Lebanon surrender to its conditions.

    However, Lahoud vowed not to bend to Israeli pressure.

TV grab shows the fuel tanks exploded. Sources at Beirut airport, which has been closed since Thursday, said Israeli aircraft fired rockets at fuel tanks. (CCTV Photo)

    Emile Lahoud said: "Unfortunately, what's happening is that the UN Security Council had a meeting and then postponed action, believing that by doing this there would come a time that the Lebanese will surrender. Stop the violence and arrange a ceasefire, and then after that we'll be ready to discuss all matters."  Full story>>