Sunday, July 30 2006 12:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jerusalem: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and sought an easing of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah.

In a two-hour meeting at Olmert's residence late Saturday, they discussed conditions for the deployment of an international peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, Israeli media reported.

Their talks included the possible participation of French and Lebanese troops in such a mission.

In line with previous statements from the US State Department and White House, Rice did not seek an immediate ceasefire from the Israeli premier, the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronoth reported in its online edition. Rice and Olmert were in agreement that a truce was not possible without the release of two Israeli soldiers abducted by Hezbollah on June 12 from the Israel-Lebanon border. The incident sparked Israel's major offensive against Hezbollah and other targets in Lebanon.

Rice greeted as a positive development reported statements by Hezbollah-linked ministers in the Lebanese coalition government that a ceasefire would be a prerequisite for the militia to be disarmed. She is to meet Sunday with Israeli Foreign Minister Zipni Liwni and Defence Minister Amir Peretz. Rice is reported to be planning to go to Beirut for further talks.