Arab foreign ministers started an emergency meeting on Monday over the conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Shiite group Hezbollah.

Foreign ministers from over 20 Arab countries and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa began a closed-door meeting, which was also attended by Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

The meeting, held amid a fierce conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, is expected to focus on efforts toward a ceasefire.

The Arab foreign ministers will also discuss holding an Arab summit to help end the fighting in Lebanon, Moussa told reporters before the emergency meeting.

Local Lebanese media reported that the summit might be held in the Saudi city of Mecca.

Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora has called for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Israeli troops from southern Lebanon and the expansion of an existing UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon.

Violence erupted on July 12 when Hezbollah guerillas kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed eight during cross-border attacks and Israel responded by launching a massive assault.

Lebanon said that about 1,000 Lebanese, most of them civilians, were killed and over 90 Israelis have also died in the 27 days of fighting.

Source: Xinhua