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

    Special report: Israel, Lebanon agree on ceasefire

    UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday called on the international community to extend support and assistance to the Lebanese government in the reconstruction and recovery of the battered country.

    The secretary-general made the appeal in a report submitted to the Security Council on the implementation of a resolution, which sought an end to a month-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

    "I urge all states to channel their humanitarian assistance, economic recovery and the wider political and economic reconstruction to the government of Lebanon," said Annan in the report, which calls for "significant, sustained support and assistance from the international community."

    The secretary-general said that during a recent trip to the region he was pleased with the Lebanese government's determination to ensure its authority over the country, and that he was "greatly encouraged" by statements made by relevant parties, including Syria and Iran.

    The UN chief, who returned from an 11-day trip to the region last Friday, said he expects their "further tangible cooperation."

    He expressed his concern over the "existence of armed groups" in Lebanon, referring to militant groups such as Hezbollah.

    "No state in the region or elsewhere would tolerate the existence of armed groups which challenge the state's monopoly on the legitimate use of force throughout its territory," he said.

    Annan also pressed for contributing states to rapidly honor their pledges to provide troops and equipment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).