UN humanitarian official demands access to aid workers

The UN's top humanitarian official has demanded that Israel and Lebanon grant immediate access to aid agencies in southern Lebanon.

Jan Egeland said both sides are hindering the agencies access to more than 120,000 Lebanese who are currently receiving no aid.

Israeli aeroplanes have begun dropping leaflets on southern Beirut warning civilians to leave immediately, but Prime Minister Ehud Olmert earlier said he will not be expanding the offensive.

The five permanent members of the UN's Security Council meanwhile are reporting progress on a UN resolution.