Steinmeier Meets Israelis to Push for End to Mid-East Crisis

On Wednesday morning, Steinmeier met with Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz. Talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are scheduled for later in the day.

In an interview with German broadcaster ARD on Tuesday evening, Steinmeier said he intended to discuss Lebanon's deteriorating humanitarian situation with Israeli officials. And while he earlier expressed confidence that a UN resolution to stop the fighting in Lebanon could be passed by Friday, he added that a solution to the current crisis could only be found if there was acceptance of the resolution in the region.

Steinmeier's talks in Israel are also likely to focus on Beirut's suggestion to replace Israeli troops in southern Lebanon with 15,000 Lebanese soldiers. He said that the plan would help strengthen the government in Beirut and contribute to the development of a more independent, democratic Lebanon.

Troop withdrawals

But wrangling over Israeli troop withdrawals has further slowed progress on a UN resolution. Lebanon wants an immediate ceasefire and a quick withdrawal of thousands of Israeli troops from its south, while Israel says it will only pull out when an international force is in place to keep Hezbollah at bay.

Coinciding with Steinmeier's visit, Israel's security cabinet convened on Wednesday to consider whether to send troops deeper into Lebanon to fight Hezbollah militants in the absence of an agreement.

According to reports, the proposed next stage of the Israeli offensive would involve a military push to the Litani river, 20 km (13 miles) inside Lebanon, and possibly beyond.