Monday, July 31 2006 10:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: As the situation in the Middle East further worsened, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today asked the United Nations Security Council to condemn Israeli bombing of a Lebanese village which left at least 56 dead and called for immediate cease fire.

Warning that failure to act decisively would undermine the United Nations itself, Annan told an emergency session of the Council that Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora had said that his government would not longer engage in further diplomatic discussions without a ceasefire.

Expressing dismay that his earlier warnings have gone unheeded, Annan said the first reports suggest that there were 37 children among the dead.

Annan also reported on demonstrations against the UN in Beirut, and appealed to all people everywhere to respect UN personnel.

"We meet at a moment of extreme gravity first and foremost for the people of the Middle East, but also for the authority of this Organization, especially this Council," said Annan, who under Article 99 of the UN Charter, may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.

In an impassioned plea for immediate halt to hostilities, Annan said the very authority and credibility of the United Nations and the Security Council was at stake.

French UN ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said such an action on the part of Israel cannot be justified and commended his government plea for immediate end to the fighting.

He wanted the Council to work for immediate end to hostilities as well as plan to resolve the crisis in the region.

In similar vein, British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry also urged Council to call for an immediate end to hostilities and work for political resolution of the crisis.

But Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman said Qana was a hub of Hizbollah and his government had beseeched residents to leave before the bombing.

He accused Hizbollah of sacrificing their own people as human shields and beseeched the Council not to play into their (Hizbollah's) hands.

The tragedy, Annan said, has rightly provoked moral outrage throughout the world.

But he expressed regret that some Lebanese have broke into the UN compound and briefly set it on fire.

"The authority and standing of this Council are at stake. People have noticed its failure to act firmly and quickly during this crisis," he said, citing the people breaking into the UN compound as an example.

Three staff members were injured, none critically and the fire was extinguished, he reported to the Council.

The Secretary General said the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) no longer operates in Qana, which was bombed by Israel last night, and therefore had no personnel nearby at the time of the attack 'though Chinese engineers and two medical teams have now managed to reach the area.'

"They are helping to clear the rubble and giving treatment to survivors," Annan added.

Annan expressed gratitude to the Lebanese Government for its assistance with the response.

"The UN House is the hub of our humanitarian activities in Lebanon," said Annan.

"These will continue throughout the country," he said.

At the same time, he expressed fear that similar reactions could occur elsewhere in the region or in the wider Islamic world.

"I appeal to the authorities and people in all countries to respect and ensure the safety of UN personnel. I appeal to everyone to understand that we are doing our best to help through diplomacy, through humanitarian action and by the efforts of UNIFIL, which as you know itself suffered tragic losses only a few days ago," he added.

Four UN Military Observers lost their lives at Patrol Base Khiyam, in Southern Lebanon, on 25 July during an Israeli bombardment.

"We must deliver the region from this seemingly endless cycle of violence," Annan told the Council, noting that in the last 18 days, several hundred Lebanese citizens have been killed the vast majority of them civilians, and at least a third of them children.

"Meanwhile, over 50 Israelis have died, including 19 civilians, and the population of northern Israel has been subjected to intense and continuous rocket fire, and thousands are now in shelters," Annan noted.

"It is important to stress that both sides in this conflict bear a heavy responsibility, and there is strong prima facie evidence that both have committed grave breaches of international humanitarian law," he said.

While no one disputes Israel's right to defend, the Secretary-General pointed out that by its manner of doing so it has caused, and is causing, death and suffering on a wholly unacceptable scale.

He recalled that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has reminded all parties that they may he held accountable for any breaches of international humanitarian.

At the same time, Annan said the most urgent need now is to bring the fighting to a halt without further delay.

"For that, this Council has a solemn responsibility," he said, reiterating his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities to allow humanitarian relief to reach the victims.

Annan pledged to work with the Council in the development and deployment of a stabilisation force to support the Government of Lebanon in its decision and responsibility to extend its authority throughout the country.

"I know there are differences among the Council's members about the precise sequence of actions needed. I beg you to set those differences aside, and come together on the most urgent point the immediate cessation of hostilities," he said.