Tens of thousands of civilians fled yesterday Lebanon South

International pressure for a ceasefire in the Lebanon yesterday increased after the tragedy at Qana, where an Israeli bombing caused the deaths of 50 civilians Sunday morning. The American President, George w. Bush, estimated to be "urgently" implement a ceasefire in the Lebanon, while he opposed so far by saying that any cessation of the activities would simply allow Hezbollah Shiite militia to forces. President Bush has however felt that any ceasefire should be "sustainable" and recalled the right of Israel to defend themselves.

The suspension by Israel of its air raids for 48 hours after the blunder of Cana, for the first time since the beginning of the conflict, July 12, offered to diplomacy a window of opportunity to stop the logic of war. The Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, was able to leave Jerusalem for Washington yesterday by saying his "conviction" that an "urgent ceasefire" and "a lasting settlement" were possible as early as this week. Condoleezza Rice reported a plan in three parts including a cease-fire, the political principles for a settlement in the long term and the authorization for an international force to deploy to help the Lebanese army to extend its authority throughout the territory. Sign that the key to the conflict is more than ever in Tehran, both patron of Hezbollah and target at this time of considerable Western pressure on its clandestine nuclear programme, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Philippe Douste-Blazy, stressed the "important role of stabilisation" in the region that must play the Iran, according to him. He will also meet in Beirut, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manouchehr Mottaki, arrived yesterday at the Lebanon. New York, the Security Council of the United Nations, meeting in emergency, declared "extremely shocked and upset" by the bombing of Qana, but refrained from condemning this Act, the United States was being opposed, according to diplomats. The France was yesterday circulated a draft resolution calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities.

The Syria prepares his army

This lull in air raids in the South of the Lebanon allowed the rescuers to deliver aid and evacuate elderly, particularly in the town devastated Bint Jbeil, inaccessible until then because of the fighting. Tens of thousands of civilians fled yesterday Lebanon South.

The Israeli police has also mentioned a lull since only two launches of Hezbollah rockets to are slaughtered in the North of Israel, without casualties, against more than 150 Sunday. But violent clashes opposed always Lebanon South of the Israeli units, supported by aviation, and Hezbollah fighters in the area of Taibe. The Israeli Minister of defence, Amir Peretz, also announced that the army would "expand its operation against Hezbollah." Supported by the 60 armoured bulldozers, the Israeli army was thus the systematic destruction of supported une Hezbollah de l' israélo-libanaise israélienne une Hezbollah de de l' israélo-libanaise israélienne l' israélo-libanaise israélienne IDF is given until tomorrow to create a "security zone" 2 km wide in Lebanese territory. In this context, the Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, called last night his army a "strengthening its state of readiness" because of "the international situation and regional challenges."

The balance of the war yesterday stood at 518 Lebanon, including 442 civilians dead, while 33 soldiers and 18 civilians were killed. The conflict also made more than 800,000 internally displaced persons and caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of foreigners.