Israel to stay in control

Israel says it will keep control over an area in southern Lebanon until an international force can be deployed.

Defence Minister Amir Peretz said: 'We have no other option. We have to build a new security strip that will be a cover for our forces.'

His comments came as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ended a regional tour and headed for a meeting in Rome of key international ministerial talking over the crisis today.

Ms Rice had expressed concern for the suffering of "innocent people" in the fighting during her tour of the Middle East. A criticism that was unexpected by the Israelis.