Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa called today for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, saying violence should stop even before a UN-brokered truce takes effect tomorrow.
"Whatever the Israeli hostile action, there is very heavy resistance to it," Mr Moussa told reporters on Sunday, speaking a day after returning from New York where he headed an Arab League delegation to press the UN Security Council over Lebanon.
"There should be a cessation of attacks immediately to stem bloodshed without waiting for tomorrow," he added.
The United Nations said Israeli and Lebanese leaders had agreed the truce would take effect at 6am (Irish time) tomorrow and the world body was preparing to deploy up to 15,000 troops to help enforce it.
Less than 24 hours before the ceasefire was due to begin, Israeli troops fought ferocious battles with Hizbullah across several areas of south Lebanon. The Security Council resolution to end the fighting calls for a "full cessation of hostilities" and for Israel to withdraw troops "at the earliest".
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has said the United States and the West were losing credibility in the Middle East due to foot-dragging on a truce, cautiously welcomed the expected end to fighting.
"I criticised the (Security) Council's impotence and dawdling in moving to contain the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. Even so, we welcome the resolution as a first step in the right direction," Mubarak said in an interview published in the al-Masa'a evening newspaper.
"Taking this decision is not the end of the matter. The issue, in implementation, remains subject to good will, especially from the Israeli side," he added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki - after holding a rare round of talks with Mubarak in Egypt - said he also supported Lebanon's decision. Iran and Egypt have not had formal diplomatic relations for more than 25 years.
"Hizbullah is considered a part of the Lebanese government, and the Lebanese decision represents the Lebanese. We support Lebanon's decision," Mr Mottaki said, referring to the truce.
An Arab League official said consultations were underway to hold a meeting of Arab foreign ministers on Lebanon. Such a meeting could pave the way for an emergency Arab summit.