EFFORTS to broker an agreement between Israel and Hizbullah resistance fighters in south Lebanon intensified last night, with the US Secretary of State, Mr Warren Christopher, conveying an Israeli offer of an immediate ceasefire to President Hafez al Assad of Syria.
International pressure for an end to the 12 day conflict, which has killed more than 150 Lebanese people and displaced more than 400,000 from the region, also increased with calls from both the US and Russian Presidents for a ceasefire.
As he left Jerusalem for Damascus last night, Mr Christopher said both sides had indicated they wanted a ceasefire. "I think we've reached a point in this particular episode where that's a real possibility."
He said, however, there were still some remaining difficulties.
An Israeli government source said Mr Christopher was to put to President al Assad an offer of an immediate truce in Israel's 12 day war on Hizbullah guerrillas pending negotiations on a long term solution.
Syria, the main foreign power broker in Lebanon where it deploys 35,000 troops, is seen as a key player in any ceasefire.
Despite hopes of a ceasefire on Friday, the Israeli bombardment continued throughout the weekend. At least 2,700 shells were fired into south lebanon and more than 60 air raids took place.
A spokesman for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said 25 rockets were fired at northern Israel yesterday, less than half the previous day's tally.
A four year old child, injured in the artillery attack on the UN base at Qana on Thursday, died yesterday, bringing the death toll to 102.
The Irish UN area, at the centre of the conflict, was reported to be relatively quiet over the weekend. The Irish troops got an agreement from local Hinbullah and Amal leaders that they would refrain from firing rockets into Israel on Saturday while the Irish troops carried out relief work delivering food and medical supplies to people in their area.
The six monthly rotation of the Irish battalion is due to begin tomorrow, with 200 troops flying out from Dublin to Beirut and 200 in south Lebanon leaving on the return flight. The entire battalion of 600 troops is due to change over the next two weeks.
Over the weekend, Irish soldiers visited eight villages in their area. They distributed food to 500 people and moved five people to the hospital in Tibnin, near the Irish battalion's headquarters.
At least 155 Lebanese people have been killed in the 12 day Israeli bombardment. Some 50 Israelis have been injured by rockets fired by Hizbullah in Lebanon.
Some 400,000 Lebanese who fled the Israeli bombardment are still refugees. Thousands of Israelis have also fled the rocket attacks on northern Israel.
After Mr Christopher's meeting in Jerusalem yesterday, Israel proposed an immediate ceasefire pending negotiations on more long term security arrangements, an Israeli government source said.
The Prime Minister, Mr Shimon Peres, asked Mr Christopher to pass on the truce offer to Syria in Damascus and said the interim ceasefire could come into effect last night.
"Israel wants a truce now, even if it means carrying on the negotiations later," the source said. "If the answer [from Damascus] is positive, it can enter into effect this night," he said. "We are waiting for Mr Christopher's answer in the coming hours.