UN members press for Lebanon truce

But UN envoy Vijay Nambiar, whose three-member mediation team just returned from the region, pointed to "serious obstacles to the achievement of a comprehensive ceasefire in the immediate future" in the deadly fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Nambiar said that some form of "cessation of hostilities" as called for by UN chief Kofi Annan Thursday was "essential so that captives are protected, humanitarian access is assured, civilian casualties are dramatically reduced, and the political space is opened to negotiate a full and durable ceasefire."

Briefing the 15-member Security Council on efforts to end the bloodshed in Lebanon, Israel and the Gaza Strip, he also appealed to Israel to "extend its full cooperation" to ensure humanitarian access to civilians trapped in the Lebanon fighting.

At least 341 people have been killed and more than 500,000 displaced in Lebanon since the start of the Israeli offensive against Hezbollah targets 10 days ago. The worst cross-border fighting in a quarter century has also killed 33 Israelis.

As an indication of the grave humanitarian crisis, Egeland announced that he would travel to Lebanon later Friday.

Israel has imposed an air and sea blockade on Lebanon, put its only international airport out of action, and bombed roads, bridges, and buildings.

Thousands of Lebanese, in cars, trucks and minibuses, are still fleeing southern Lebanon, where the massive bombardment has raised fears of a shortage of food and medicines.

Egeland told reporters that he had asked Israel to allow humanitarian routes through northern Lebanon to Beirut by road, unimpeded entry points for seabound cargo through Tripoli, Tyre and Beirut, and the reopening of Beirut international airport to humanitarian flights.