Israel, Lebanon OK cease-fire timeline

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- The Lebanese cabinet voted unanimously Saturday to accept a United Nations resolution aimed at ending the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah also agreed to the cease-fire, CNN reported. The two Hezbollah members of the cabinet voted with their colleagues, although they reportedly said that the militia does not plan to disarm in southern Lebanon.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a statement Saturday night that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora had agreed the cease-fire would take effect at 5 a.m. Monday, GMT, The New York Times reported.

"Preferably, the fighting should stop now to respect the spirit and intent of the (Security) Council decision," said Anna, "the object of which was to save civilian lives, to spare the pain and suffering that the civilians on both sides are living through."

The Israeli cabinet does not meet until Sunday, so the fighting continued. At least 14 Israeli soldiers and 19 Hezbollah fighters died Saturday.

Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, Israeli chief of staff, said he had sent additional troops across the border. Israel's goal is to drive Hezbollah from its strongholds south of the Litani River.

Nasrallah, appearing on al-Manar, the Hezbollah television station, complained that Israel's continued attacks have U.S. approval, the Jerusalem Post reported. He warned that Hezbollah would continue to defend Lebanon from "Israeli aggression," and militants would "fulfill our national and jihadic obligations," the Post reported.

Still, Nasrallah said his organization would permit the Lebanese army, supported by U.N. forces, to occupy southern Lebanon.