A leading U.S. Republican senator urged U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday to call for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah.

"The sickening slaughter on both sides must end now. President Bush must call for an immediate cease-fire. This madness must stop," Senator Chuck Hagel said on the Senate floor.

While stressing the U.S. relationship with Israel, Hagel insisted that the relationship can not be at the expense of U.S.- Arab relations.

"But, it needs not and cannot be at the expense of our Arab and Muslim relationships," Hagel said.

The Bush administration has supported Israel's military action in Lebanon by claiming that Israel is defending itself against Lebanese Hezbollah, a group termed by the United States as terrorist.

However, Israeli military strikes in Lebanon has caused a humanitarian crisis in the country and the international community has called for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon.

Source: Xinhua