The United States said on Tuesday that progress is being made on formulating a UN. resolution aimed at ending the crisis in Lebanon.

"I think you are beginning to see some real progress on the diplomatic front behind the scenes," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing.

There is "widespread agreement" that a UN. resolution to end the fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah need to include three elements -- having the Lebanese government assert effective control over Hezbollah strongholds in the south of the country, ending hostilities and deploying a multinational force in southern Lebanon, McCormack said.

The United States has called for a multinational force to be deployed in southern Lebanon.

Earlier on Tuesday, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council held talks on the Lebanon crisis.

Source: Xinhua