Israeli cabinet approves ceasefire
Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert and his cabinet have accepted the UN resolution
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Sunday, 13, Aug 2006 08:35
Israel's cabinet has voted to approve a UN peace deal bringing an end to the fighting in the Lebanon.
After a stormy debate today, all but one members of the cabinet backed the peace deal.
Nevertheless they agreed that whether or not a cessation of hostilities would be maintained was dependent upon Hezbollah complying with the provisions of the ceasefire fire deal.
The Lebanese finance minister, Jihad Azour, agreed when he said that "good will" stands as a central pillar to the attainment of a cessation of hostilities in the Middle East.
His comments came after Israel extended its military operations in southern Lebanon yesterday, just hours after the UN's call for the implementation of a ceasefire in the region.
Mr Azour told the BBC that the military solution embraced by Israel had "proved not to be the right one".
"After months of hostilities, none of the objectives set by Israel was achieved," he said.
In view of that, Mr Azour stressed: "We have to find another way to solve the problem and I think the diplomatic way is the best way."
Under the terms of the peace plan, an international peacekeeping force of 15,000 veteran troops will help the Lebanese army to police the ceasefire in southern Lebanon. It is hoped that the force could be in place within a week's time.
Mr Azour assured that the Lebanese government does have the capability to meet the provision of the ceasefire fire deal.
And the Lebanese finance minister said once the guns had fallen silent that he believed the two sides "would be able to work on a permanent solution".
Earlier today UN secretary general Kofi Annan announced that fighting would cease at 08:00 local time tomorrow morning (06:00 BST).