The German government hailed on Monday Israel's 48-hour suspension of its bombings on Lebanon as a "positive sign" that should lead to a permanent ceasefire.

Government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said that Germany was convinced that the conflict could only be resolved within the framework of a comprehensive political solution, including an end to attacks on Israel.

He urged the UN Security Council to create the conditions for a ceasefire by mapping out a framework for a political agreement between the rival parties.

At the same time, the international community was continuing its intensive efforts to form a multilateral security force aimed at safeguarding the peace process, he added.

Israel started a 48-hour suspension of air strikes on Lebanon from the small hours of Monday as the international community expressed serious concern over its shelling of a house in the Lebanese village of Qana on Sunday, killing nearly 60 civilians, more than half of them children.

Source: Xinhua