An international drive for a ceasefire in Lebanon halted on Monday amid sharp differences at the United Nations Security Council, Israel's rejection of any truce in the near future and a Hezbollah warning that it would oppose the deployment of a multinational security force.

Amid undiminished outrage after the Qana tragedy and complaints that the UN was doing nothing, Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, said she was convinced a sustainable ceasefire could be achieved at the Security Council this week.