The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Saturday reiterated its support for Lebanon and urged Israel to immediately implement the U.N. Security Council resolution which calls for an end to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas.

In a statement issued here late Saturday night, GCC Secretary General Abdul Rahman al-Attiya condemned Israel for continuing its military actions against Lebanon after the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 1701.

The statement demanded Israel's immediate cessation of all hostilities against Lebanon, and said the GCC will stand firmly by Lebanon and back its position on agreeing to the U.N. resolution.

While welcoming measures to reinforce U.N. peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon, as requested by the U.N. resolution, al-Attiya criticized the resolution for failing to take into full account Lebanon's interests, unity, security and stability.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday, calling for Israeli troops to pull out and authorizing an increase in the existing UN force in Lebanon to 15,000 troops to help Lebanese troops take control of south Lebanon as Israel withdraws.

Established in 1981 for boosting cooperation and integration among its member states, the GCC groups Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.