US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ended a mission to the Middle East today and said she believed a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah in Lebanon could be forged this week.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivers a statement in Jerusalem today.
In a statement read out in Jerusalem, Ms Rice said she would call for a UN resolution this week on the ceasefire and an international stabilisation force for southern Lebanon.
"This morning, as I head back to Washington I take with me an emerging consensus on what is necessary for both an urgent ceasefire and a lasting settlement," she said.
"I am convinced we can achieve both this week, and I am convinced that only by achieving both will the Lebanese people finally be able to control their country and their future and the people of Israel will finally be able to live free from the threat of attack from terrorist groups in Lebanon."
She did not provide details on what both sides agreed on, but there are still divisions at the United Nations over what is needed to end the 20-day war between Israel and Lebanon.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
"I believe our work has prepared the way for the United Nations Security Council to act on both an urgent and comprehensive basis this week," Ms Rice added.
A meeting of potential contributors of troops to an international force will be held at the United Nations today. The United States has not offered any of its own forces.
Ms Rice said the force should be deployed as soon as possible after the UN resolution.
Yesterday, Ms Rice won a 48-hour suspension from Israel of its aerial bombardment of south Lebanon following Israel's air strike on a Lebanese village that killed at least 54 people, most of them children, and led the secretary of state to cancel a trip to Beirut.
Israel would also co-ordinate with the United Nations to allow a 24-hour window for south Lebanon residents to leave the area if they wished. Ms Rice said she hoped this would be renewed to speed up much-needed humanitarian aid.