German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday welcomed the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution designed to end the month-long hostility in the Middle East.

"This is an important signal of the resolve of the international community to end the hostilities," she said.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the resolution was an opportunity that must not be wasted.

It was "an important step towards stabilizing the situation in the Middle east," said the minister in a statement.

A political basis to end the hostility had now been created, said Steinmeier.

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