Friday, August 11 2006 09:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beirut: Israeli forces yesterday (Aug 10, 2006) took control of the Lebanese hub of Marjayoun ahead of possible strikes on Beirut as Tel Aviv said it was holding off a major offensive till the weekend to give diplomats at the UN more time to work out a peace plan.

Israeli tanks and artillery used positions around Marjayoun a largely Christian town that was used as a command centre by Israeli forces during their 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon till 2000to attack Hezbollah positions.

At least four people were killed in airstrikes and ground fighting in southern Lebanon. The Israeli aerial bombardment targeted Bekaa Valley, Tyre, villages along the border and a historical lighthouse in Beirut.

A Hezbollah rocket landed in the Israeli village of Deir al Assad, killing a woman and her daughter and wounding two others, officials said. Hezbollah also claimed to have destroyed 13 Israeli tanks. Fifteen Israeli soldiers had died in the fighting yesterday.

Israeli cabinet minister Rafi Eitan said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had decided to put off an expanded offensive cleared yesterday by the Security Cabinet in view of 'diplomatic considerations'.

But the US and France, which had drafted a ceasefire resolution to be considered by the UN Security Council, were divided on steps to amend it to address Lebanon's demand for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces. France wants Israel to withdraw after hostilities end, while the US supports Israel's decision to stay on till an international peacekeeping force is depolyed in south Lebanon.

Over 1,000 people, both Lebanese and Israelis, have died since the fighting began on July 12.