The hope of a quick adoption of the French-U.S. resolution over Lebanon faded Tuesday after Lebanon called for the text to be amended to order an immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory after ending hostilities.

"If we fail (to reach a solution), we would have a debate at the Security Council and everyone will clearly affirm his stand," he was quoted as saying by French national television France 2 in Toulon, adding that naturally France would present its resolution.

At the press conference following a cabinet meeting, Chirac noted that France had asked that the resolution draft integrate amendments demanded by the Lebanese government.

"It seems indeed that there are American reservations towards adopting the proposal," he said.

"I cannot imagine that we fail to reach a solution, because that would mean we accept the situation as it is and renounce calls for an immediate ceasefire, which would be the most immoral of solutions," he noted.

French and U.S. diplomats were working Wednesday on a new draft resolution after Lebanon and Arab nations had opposed the earlier one.