Thursday, July 13 2006 12:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Paris: World powers demanded yesterday (July 12, 2006) the release of two Israeli soldiers snatched by Lebanese militia Hezbollah, fearing the crisis could careen out of control asIsraeli forces mounted an offensive in Lebanon.

The United States, United Nations, Russia, Britain, Japan and the European Union condemned the kidnappings and Hezbollah rocket attacks against Israel, saying they had dangerously escalated Middle East tensions.

Israeli ground forces, supported by warplanes, entered southern Lebanon in the biggest push since a 2000 pullout to retrieve the two soldiers snatched by Hezbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran.

Three Israeli soldiers were also killed in the Hezbollah attack on a border patrol, and four died during the subsequent incursion Wednesday to search for the missing servicemen.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said the men would only be returned if Israeli released Lebanese prisoners in exchange.

"I condemn without hesitation the attack that took place in southern Lebanon and demand that the Israeli soldiers be released immediately," UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told reporters in Rome.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also denounced the kidnapping, saying Hezbollah's action undermines regional stability and goes against the interests of both the Israeli and Lebanese people.

Rice discussed the situation with Annan, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, according to a statement released upon her arrival in Paris.