Visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Jerusalem today that a deal to end military conflicts between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas could be forged this week.

Speaking to reporters before winding up her Middle East mission, Rice said she would call for a UN resolution on the ceasefire this week.

Rice said she would also call for the establishment of an international force for Lebanon.

"As I head back to Washington, I take with me an emerging consensus on what is necessary for both an urgent ceasefire and a lasting settlement," she said. "I am convinced we can achieve both this week."

Rice said the UN resolution should include a ceasefire, political components to address issues that have repeatedly triggered conflicts between Lebanon and Israel, and the authorization of an international force to help secure Lebanon.

But she did not give details on how the UN resolution would address the difficult political problems between Lebanon and Israel.

Rice also welcomed Israel's 48-hour suspension of its airstrikes in southern Lebanon and hoped that the suspension would be renewed.

"These are important, yet temporary measures," she said. "An urgent and more permanent end to this violence is something that we all want, and that we all must work together to achieve."