Friday, August 11 2006 10:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: Russia has formally introduced a resolution in the UN Security Council calling for a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire in Lebanon as major powers struggled to finalise a draft calling for cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.

Explaining the Russian move, its ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin said his country decided to introduce the resolution yesterday as there was no agreed draft on cessation of hostilities and the humanitarian situation was getting 'catastrophic.'

The 72-hour truce was required to allow relief supplies to reach the needy.

However, French and American diplomats said they intend to work almost continuously with the aim of having a resolution later today. But even if they finalise the draft, the vote could be delayed till tomorrow to give time to diplomats to get instruction from their respective capitals.

Talking to reporters, American Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton conceded that they do not have a final draft as yet but expressed the hope that one would ready for vote later today (Aug 11, 2006) .

The Russian resolution came at the end of the day of extensive parleys and hours after a top UN humanitarian official said it was a 'disgrace' that both Israel and Hizbollah were hampering efforts to provide relief to hundreds of thousands people displaced by the conflict.

The resolution could be put to vote later today but if the French-American draft is finalised, the Russian document would become redundant.