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Hezbollah wants immediate truce
26/07/2006 16:16 - (SA)
Beirut - Hezbollah - locked in fierce battles with Israeli forces in south Lebanon - on Wednesday demanded an immediate ceasefire and indirect talks for a prisoner exchange after world diplomats failed to agree an instant truce.
Mohamad Raad, leader of Hezbollah's 14-member parliamentary bloc, said: "The position for the Lebanese government is to establish an immediate and complete ceasefire and to start indirect negotiations for a prisoner exchange.
"Anything other than that is not acceptable," he said in a statement, as representatives of 15 nations met in Rome to address the crisis, but failed to agree on an immediate ceasefire.
"The (Islamic) Resistance will continue its confrontation of the aggression whatever the Zionists do," he said.
The international crisis conference in Rome vowed to work with "utmost urgency" for a truce.
Israel launched a massive offensive in Lebanon after Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers on July 12 in a bid to secure a prisoners' swap.
Israeli forces have since crossed into southern Lebanon, facing fierce resistance from Hezbollah fighters.
- AFP
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