A senior U.S. diplomat said in Beirut Saturday that his talks with Lebanese officials was an important step toward ending the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict.

"My meeting today was an important step to putting behind us forever the terrible violence witnessed in the past three weeks with a lasting political framework and an international force to support the Lebanese armed forces," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Welch said after meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Foaud Siniora.

"The challenges facing Lebanon today are much more difficult than we would have imagined weeks ago," Welch added.

The American diplomat didn't disclose whether there were any progress in efforts to end the confrontation which started on July 12 following the abduction of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah guerrillas.

The U.S. State Department said on Friday that a U.N. resolution to press a cease-fire and ensure a lasting peace could be ready early next week.

Israel has stepped up offensive in Lebanon as Hezbollah guerillas intensified rocket attacks against the Jewish state.

Siniora said that some 900 Lebanese had been killed and a quarter of Lebanon's population displaced since the conflict began.

Over 70 Israelis have also been killed in the clashes.

Source: Xinhua