Germany: UN seems agreed on Mideast resolution

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday the UN Security Council appeared to have reached agreement on a resolution designed to end the war between Israel and Hizbullah gunmen.

"An agreement between the members of the Security Council appears now to have been reached," Steinmeier told reporters before leaving for a Middle East trip.

He added that such a resolution would present a real chance to bring about a ceasefire in the region, where hundreds have been killed in the conflict over the past month.

However, for it to succeed, Steinmeier said both Lebanon and Israel would have to agree to a peacekeeping force being installed in the border area in the south of Lebanon.

Steinmeier said he aimed to secure support for the UN resolution during his trip to the region.

Arab nations to press UN

Despite global alarm at the rising civilian casualties, days of intensive diplomatic efforts at the UN Security Council to bring about a ceasefire and lasting peace have proved difficult.

France and the United States had drafted a resolution but are now considering changes to overcome Arab criticism.

No vote is expected until Wednesday or Thursday while diplomats adjust the draft and hear an afternoon presentation from Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and the foreign ministers of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Arab nations will press the UN Security Council on Tuesday to demand an immediate Israeli pullout from south Lebanon to make way for the Lebanese army in any resolution to end Israel's four-week-old war with Hizbullah.