France and the United States seem to be closer to a resolution on Lebanon that would call for the cessation of hostilities with plans for a greater comprehensive settlement to be hammered out after an agreement is signed. “I think we are working very well, we are getting closer,” said French Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere as he entered a closed-door Security Council meeting on Wednesday after days of diplomatic wrangling. France distributed a draft resolution to council members last Sunday, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities as part of a seven-point plan that would lead to an overall political framework for peace, including disarming Hezbollah; delineating Lebanese international borders, including Shebaa Farms; and creating conditions for a permanent cease-fire. After Wednesday's council meeting, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton noted that there were no “philosophical differences,” but rather “differences in approach to the nature of the cessation of hostilities and how to make it permanent.” He added that there is nearly complete agreement on the fundamental political framework, which would lead to agreement on the mandate of an international force and the force composition.
