(14 Aug 2006) SHOTLIST
1. Exterior of building
2. Various of preparations for press conference
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Massimo D'Alema, Italian Foreign Minister
"I think that we have to deploy as soon as possible an international force on the ground, because it is a condition for the withdrawal of Israeli forces. And it depends not only on Italy - it depends on the United Nations and we are working with the United Nations on that. And it depends on the Lebanese government because it is the Lebanese army that has to deploy to the south of the country. And my opinion - what I said to the Prime Minister (Fuad) Saniora, to my colleagues in the Lebanese government - is 'you have to act immediately'.
4. Wide of presser
STORYLINE:
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said on Monday the Lebanese government had to "act immediately" in deploying troops to the south of the country along with international forces, in order to stabilise the region.
"It depends on the United Nations and we are working with the United Nations on that," he said. "And it depends on the Lebanese government because it is the Lebanese army that has to deploy to the south of the country."
Speaking at a press conference, D'Alema said an international force had to deploy as soon as possible "because it is a condition for the withdrawal of Israel forces."
The ceasefire agreement adopted on Friday called on Israel to cease all "offensive" military operations.
But Israel has made it clear it will reserve the right to protect its soldiers and is remaining on Lebanese soil.
It also said it would maintain its air and sea blockade of Lebanon in order to prevent Hezbollah from rearming.
Thirty four days of aerial bombardments and ground offensives has left Lebanon with destruction that could take years and cost billions of dollars to repair.
At least 791, including 689 civilians have been confirmed dead by Lebanese police, security officials, civil defence and hospital authorities, 34 Lebanese soldiers and 68 Hezbollah militants, although others gave conflicting figures.
The Lebanese government's Higher Relief Council said 1,071 Lebanese had been killed in the conflict.
Israeli security officials said they have confirmed the deaths of 165 Hezbollah fighters and estimated that about 300 others had been killed.
Authorities said 148 Israelis have been killed in the fighting, including 109 soldiers and 39 civilians.
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