"We view the submission of a French-American draft resolution as a step forward, especially as it mirrors the main Russian demand of immediate ceasefire," Denisov was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.

"Bearing in mind the current situation, we think it necessary to adopt a brief resolution of the UN Security Council on a humanitarian ceasefire if differences over a bigger resolution prevail," he said.

The draft resolution, presented to the 15-member Security Council by the United States and France on Saturday, calls for "a full cessation of hostilities based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hezbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operations."

It also asks Israel and Lebanon to reach consensus on a series of principles for a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution before the Security Council could adopt a second resolution authorizing an international force to be deployed in Lebanon.

France and the United States said on Monday that they might consider making changes to their draft UN resolution, which Lebanon has rejected, saying it failed to call for a withdrawal of some 10,000 Israeli troops from Lebanon's territory.

"The settlement way defined by the draft must gain consent of all interested sides," Denisov said. "Otherwise, the resolution will not be workable, as it has happened before. Besides, an unbalanced resolution of the Council is fraught with blowing up the already fragile foreign political stability in Lebanon."

Lebanese concerns must be taken into account in the UN Security Council resolution, he added.

"It is the most important to adopt as soon as possible a consolidated resolution of the Council on the immediate termination of the bloodshed and the launch of the conflict settlement," Denisov said.