Special report: Israel-Lebanon conflicts [Gallery] [Videos]

    JERUSALEM, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli government on Sunday approved a UN resolution aiming at ending the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah fighting, urging the international community to firmly implementing the resolution for fear of a rearmament of the Lebanese guerillas.

    Members of the Israeli cabinet gathered on Sunday morning to vote on the UN Security Council Resolution No. 1701, during which the resolution was approved by 24-0, with Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz absent.

    Shortly after the approval of the UN resolution, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said at a news conference that the Israel's acceptance of the ceasefire must lead to the disarmament of Hezbollah.

    Due to concern on a possible rearmament of Hezbollah following ceasefire, Livni urged Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and the international community to implement the UN resolution and called on the Lebanese army to move into south Lebanon "immediately."

    The resolution, unanimously adopted by UN Security Council on Friday, calls for Israel's withdrawal and authorizes an increase of the existing UN force in Lebanon to 15,000 troops to help Lebanese government troops take control of south Lebanon as Israel withdraws.

    At the press conference, Livni expressed hope that two Israeli soldiers abducted by Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas would be released unconditionally.

    The Israeli top diplomat said that the unconditional release of the captive soldiers would be considered as the beginning of all relationships between the governments of Israel and Lebanon.

    On the front of Lebanon, the Lebanese cabinet postponed a planned cabinet meeting on Sunday to mull the implementation of the UN resolution, which was adopted on Saturday night, due to differences on disarming Hezobllah.

    Earlier in the day, the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert voiced his optimism to the UN resolution, saying, "Hezbollah will no longer exist as a state within a state. Lebanon will be responsible for any problems or violations of the agreement."

    However, Olmert's decision to accept the deal has drawn criticism from politicians on both the Right and the Left. Analysts said the decision could even endanger Olmert's post as the prime minister.

    Parliament member Silvan Shalom from the right-wing Likud said the cease-fire was one of the worst Israel had ever been offered.

    Shalom said Israel would not achieve any of its goals, including freeing its kidnapped soldiers and disarming of Hezbollah, while issues like the return of the disputed Shaba Farms and the release of Lebanese prisoners had been put on the agenda.

    On the Left, the leader of Meretz party Yossi Beilin said that the expansion of operations in Lebanon was a "prize for Hezbollah" that would entail weeks of arduous warfare and heavy casualties.

    Local daily Ha'aretz said on Saturday, citing a columnist, "If Olmert runs away now from the war he initiated, he will not be able to remain prime minister for even one more day."

    Meanwhile, a poll on Ha'aretz showed that just one in five Israelis believed that if the war ended now, it could be considered a victory, while 30 percent said Israel was losing the war and 44 percent pollers said neither side would emerge a winner.

    Israel launched a massive assault against Lebanese Hezbollah on July 12 in retaliation for abduction of two Israeli soldiers by the Shiite group during cross-border attacks.

    Up to now, more than 1,000 Lebanese and about 150 Israelis have been killed during the past 33 days of fighting. Enditem

Israeli cabinet approves UN resolution to stop fighting in Lebanon

    JERUSALEM, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel's cabinet approved a UN resolution Sunday to end the Israel-Hezbollah fighting, government officials said. >>>

Israeli FM wants unconditional release of two abducted soldiers

    JERUSALEM, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni expressed hope on Sunday that two Israeli soldiers abducted by Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas would be released unconditionally after a UNSC resolution was approved by both Israel and Lebanon. >>>

Lebanon approves UN resolution: TV

    CAIRO, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese government on Saturday approved a UN resolution calling for an end to hostilities with Israel, Britain's Sky News television reported. >>>

OIC welcomes UNSC resolution on Lebanon

    ANKARA, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on Sunday welcomed Resolution 1701 of the UN Security Council on Lebanon. >>>