Special report: Israel-Lebanon Conflicts   [Video ] [Gallery]

    UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A three-member Arab League team warned the UN Security Council on Tuesday that Lebanon would be bogged down in a civil war unless there was an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.

    Qatar's Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani, representing the Arab team here to press for changes to a draft resolution on Lebanon sponsored by France and the United States, told the council that adopting a non-enforceable resolution would have "grave ramifications" for Lebanon.

    "If we adopt the resolution without fully considering the reality of Lebanon, we will face a civil war," he said, warning that by doing so the international community will "destroy Lebanon" instead of helping it.

    The draft "requires a careful consideration that takes into account the Arab position" as expressed in a special meeting of the League of Arab States which adopted the seven-point plan drawn up by Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, Al-Thani said.

    He warned the council against adopting the draft in its current form because it would only complicate the crisis.

    "We draw the attention of the august council to the repercussions of adopting a non-enforceable resolution that would further complicate the situation on the ground and have grave ramification for Lebanon, Arab countries and all the countries of the region," Al-Thani said.

    He urged the council to include in the draft a call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and a withdrawal of the Israeli forces behind the Blue Line, the unofficial border drawn up by the UN between Lebanon and Israel.

    Al-Thani called for a draft that would support the decision of the Lebanese government to extend its authority over all its territories by deploying the army.

    The draft resolution calls for "a full cessation of hostilitiesbased upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hezbollah ofall attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensivemilitary operations."

    It also asks Israel and Lebanon to reach consensus on a series of principles for a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution before the Council could adopt a second resolution authorizing an international force to be deployed in Lebanon.

    Lebanon has rejected the draft, accusing it of failing to call for a withdrawal of some 10,000 Israeli troops from its territory.

    Israel has not formally commented on the draft. But a senior government official said his country sees it favorably, partly because it allows soldiers to stay in southern Lebanon before an international force can take over.

    Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed-Hamid Albar said on Tuesday he was unhappy with the draft resolution, which he termed as a document in favor of "the aggressor."

    Faced with strong Arab objections, Paris and Washington are revising the draft resolution. Both countries said that they might consider making changes to the draft resolution.

    France's UN Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere on Monday promised to take into account Lebanon's concern that the draft does not seek the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

    The U.S. also hinted changes would be possible. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said his country would consider changes only if they make sense.

    "We're going to listen to those points of view. If they make sense, then we'll certainly consider them," the spokesman said.

    No action is expected until Thursday at the earliest. The draftresolution has not yet been introduced to the 15-member Security Council, which usually happens 24 hours before a vote. Enditem

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