US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held talks in Israel on Tuesday on ways to end the two-week-old war in Lebanon, a day after making tough proposals in Beirut. Following are key parts on how each side sees the best way to end the fighting:
HEZBOLLAH
The Lebanese guerrillas want an unconditional ceasefire followed by negotiations through a third party to swap two Israeli soldiers with hundreds of Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners.
Hezbollah triggered the latest bout of fighting on July 12 when it captured the two soldiers in a cross-border attack. It has been firing rockets into northern Israel in what it says is retaliation for Israeli attacks on Lebanese infrastructure and civilian targets.
LEBANESE GOVERNMENT
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Fouad Siniora wants an immediate ceasefire followed by negotiations to swap the two soldiers for three Lebanese prisoners.
The Lebanese army, backed by United Nations peacekeepers, would deploy along the border after Israel pulls out of the disputed Shebaa Farms area and hands over landmine maps in south Lebanon.
Lebanese political leaders would then hold meetings on best ways to disarm Hezbollah.
ISRAEL
Israel wants Hezbollah to free the two soldiers, halt its rocket attacks and pull back to the Litani River, some 20kms north of the border, before any ceasefire.
It has welcomed ideas of deploying a NATO-led force in south Lebanon to ensure Hezbollah is not allowed to operate in the south and does not rearm.
Some Israeli officials have called for the destruction of Hezbollah’s military capabilities at the hands of the Israeli army while others have said the group should disarm as part of any ceasefire.
THE UNITED STATES
Ms Rice put forward US proposals for a ceasefire to Lebanese leaders in Beirut. Before she arrived in the region she called for a “sustainable” ceasefire.
Lebanese politicians said the proposal was one package: a ceasefire, Hezbollah withdrawal to the Litani line, beefing up the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon with a multinational force and the Lebanese army to patrol the area between the border and the Litani River.—Reuters
