Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

    Related: Rice visits Lebanon to push for "sustainable" peace

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) is accompanied by Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora (L). Rice is in Beirut at the start of a high-stakes mission to try to end the devastating conflict in Lebanon, even as Israeli troops were locked in deadly combat with Hezbollah guerrillas.(Xinhua Photo)

    BEIRUT, July 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice paid a surprise visit to Lebanon on Monday in a diplomatic move to push for a "sustainable" peace, well-informed sources said.

    The top U.S. diplomat, on her first visit to Mideast since violence between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah erupted on July 12, held separate meetings with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

    During the meetings, Rice insisted that Washington would only work toward a "sustainable" truce although a ceasefire was urgent, said the sources.

    She also said that Hezbollah must release two Israeli soldier sit took hostage and pull back from the border with Israel before any ceasefire, the sources added. Full story>>

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