Annan cites 'serious obstacles' to ceasefire

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called for an immediate halt to the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia but said “there are serious obstacles to reaching a ceasefire or even to diminishing the violence quickly".

Annan said Hezbollah’s actions in launching rockets into Israel and abducting Israeli soldiers “hold an entire nation hostage” and set back prospects for Middle East peace.