Russia asked to push Israel for immediate ceasefire

Lebanon’s parliamentary majority leader today appealed to Russia to push Israel for an immediate ceasefire in its military offensive against Hezbollah, news reports said.

“We are appealing to you to use your relations with Israel in the interests of an immediate ceasefire,” Saad Hariri was quoted as saying in a meeting with Security Council head Igor Ivanov.

“Only an immediate ceasefire can create the terms for a political resolution of all questions in the region. We are demanding this and will demand it, in the United Nations and in talks with our partners,” Ivanov was quoted as saying.

Britain and the US, which like Russia are permanent members of the UN Security Council, have resisted pressure for a resolution demanding an immediate truce, arguing that it must come with simultaneous steps to ensure that Hezbollah cannot threaten Israel.

Hariri said he hoped the peace plan put forward by Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora would be included in a UN resolution and “we hope that a ceasefire will be secured next week,” Interfax said.