Israeli troop issue snarls U.N. draft

By NICK WADHAMS, Associated Press Writer
5 minutes ago

UNITED NATIONS - Diplomatic efforts to wrap up a long-awaited Security Council resolution on ending the war between Israel and Hezbollah have stumbled over the issue of an Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, diplomats said Tuesday.

U.N. diplomats said the issue had even opened a rift between the United States and France, the two main sponsors of the resolution, while a visiting delegation of Arab foreign ministers insisted during a meeting of the Security Council that the resolution include such a demand.

U.S. and French diplomats had initially hoped to adopt the draft early this week, but it now appears unlikely to be adopted before Thursday. U.S. Ambassador John Bolton refused to comment on specifics of the negotiations but acknowledged in an interview that differences remain.

"We're still pressing for a vote on a resolution as early as we can, but we've got to reach agreement and there are still a lot of issues that need to be considered," Bolton told The AP. "So, when will the vote be? It's hard to say at this point." >>>cont

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