The draft resolution, sponsored by France and the United States," requires a careful consideration that takes into account the Arab position" as expressed in a special meeting of the League of Arab States which adopted the seven-point plan drawn up by Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, Al-Thani told the Security Council.

One of points in the plan calls for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to hand over a buffer zone in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese army within 72 hours of a truce.

It also includes an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire based on Israel's withdrawal behind the Blue Line, an exchange of Lebanese and Israeli prisoners, putting the disputed Shebaa Farms under the UN control, extending Lebanese government authority throughout the country and expanding the UNIFIL and providing international help to rebuild Lebanon.

Al-Thani warned the council against adopting the draft in its current form because it would only complicate the crisis.

"We draw the attention of the august council to the repercussions of adopting a non-enforceable resolution that would further complicate the situation on the ground and have grave ramification for Lebanon, Arab countries and all the countries of the region," Al-Thani said.

"It is most saddening that the council stands idly by, crippled, unable to stop the bloodbath which has become the bitter daily lot of the defenseless Lebanese people," said Al-Thani, the head of a three-man Arab League delegation.

He urged the council to include in the draft a call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and a withdrawal of the Israeli forces behind the Blue Line, the unofficial border drawn up by the UN between Lebanon and Israel.

He also appealed for support for the UNIFIL with an increase in the force strength and material and an expansion of its mandate so as to allow it to play the role entrusted to it.

Al-Thani called for a draft that would support the decision of the Lebanese government to extend its authority over all its territories through deploying the army.

The Arab League delegation was in New York to ask the 15-nation council to modify the French-U.S. draft resolution that would call for "full cessation of hostilities" but made no mention of the presence of some 10,000 Israeli troops currently deployed in southern Lebanon.