Rome meeting fails to agree ceasefire, pledges 'urgency'

[tocqueville]

by Denis Barnett
9 minutes ago

ROME (AFP) - A 15-nation crisis conference has failed to agree on calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East but vowed to work with "utmost urgency" for a truce.

In a declaration released after the five-hour Rome conference Wednesday, the countries expressed "determination to work immediately to reach with utmost urgency a ceasefire to put an end to the current hostilities."

A ceasefire to end the bloodshed in the region "must be lasting, permanent and sustainable," they said.

The powers gathered here also called on Israel to exercise "utmost restraint" while welcoming Israel's decision to let aid into Lebanon including aid flights to Beirut airport

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060726/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflicttalks_060726150337