Negotiations on a UN resolution to end the fighting in the Middle East are continuing in New York but a vote is not expected until Thursday at the earliest.
This evening the White House expressed interest in a proposal from Lebanon to send 15,000 troops to southern Lebanon to facilitate an Israeli withdrawal.
However a White House spokesman said it would have to be done in conjunction with an international force.
Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert described the proposal as an interesting step which would be reviewed.
In New York a visiting Arab League delegation accused the Security Council of standing by idly while weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah was sowing the seeds of hatred and extremism in the Middle East.
It is backing the Lebanese demand that any resolution must include an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
Russia also wants the resolution amended to take account of Lebanon's demand.
The current text, drafted by the US and France, calls for the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force.
France is proposing some changes but is not explicitly calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.
