Saturday, July 22 2006 12:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: The first goal of the international community should be to secure urgently some form of cessation of hostilities in Lebanon as there are 'serious obstacles' to obtaining a comprehensive ceasefire in immediate future, Vijay Nambiar, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General, told the Security Council yesterday (July 21, 2006).

"This is essential so that captives are protected and released, humanitarian access is assured, civilian casualties are dramatically reduced and the political space is opened to negotiate a full durable ceasefire," Nambiar, who had just led a high-level UN mission to the Middle East, said.

Briefing the Council on the mission's discussions with various leaders in the region, he said the second goal should be to develop quickly the elements of a political framework that would pave the way for a full and durable ceasefire.

"A return to the situation as it existed prior to Hezbollah attack on July 12, which would leave both Israelis and Lebanese prey to the designs and capabilities of Hezbollah and of outside powers which support it, is untenable," said Nambiar, who is a former Indian Ambassador to the United Nations.