Rice to push for 'lasting settlement'

US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said today she would push for a ceasefire and a “lasting settlement” in the conflict between Lebanon and Israel through a United Nations Security Council resolution this week.

“I am convinced that only by achieving both will the Lebanese people be able to control their country and their future, and the people of Israel finally be able to live free of attack from terrorist groups in Lebanon,” Rice said in Jerusalem before departing for Washington.