Visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit to the Lebanese capital on Monday for talks with Prime Minister Fouad Seniora over the escalating situation in Lebanon.

Earlier, Seniora and Rice discussed in a phone call several issues, including exchanges of captives and necessity of making a plan to achieve a ceasefire.

In previous statements, the United States justified Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which were launched after Lebanese Hezbollah abducted two Israeli soldiers on July 12.

The Lebanese side has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, claiming that the humanitarian situation in Lebanon has been worsening.

The UN has been demanding a safe land passage to transport aid to Lebanon, but such a passage is yet to be determined.

Besides Lebanon, Rice will also visit Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Source: Xinhua