Latest News: U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for an immediate halt to the escalating conflict

From Reuters:

UN Annan: Hostilities Between Hezbollah, Israel Must Stop
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for an immediate halt to the escalatingconflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militia but said "there are serious obstacles to reaching a cease-fire or even to diminishing the violencequickly."

Israel Resumes Airstrikes In Lebanon; Fierce Resistance

Israeli troops met fierce resistance from Hezbollah guerrillas as they crossedinto Lebanon to seek tunnels and weapons for a second consecutive day as Israelrefused to rule out a full-scale invasion. Israeli warplanes also launched new airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, aHezbollah stronghold, shortly after daybreak Thursday, according to witnesses andHezbollah's al-Manar TV. But no casualties were immediately reported.

Israel Army Incurs Several Casualties In Lebanon Fighting

A large fight between Israeli forces and Hezbollah guerrillas broke out Thursdayevening on the Lebanese side of the border, the Israeli army said. Israelsuffered several casualties, the army said.

Israeli Commander Says Offensive Could Last Much Longer
Israel's army chief said that an offensive in Lebanon would not end untilIsrael's security is restored, and vowed to destroy Hezbollah's arsenal andmilitary capabilities. "The fighting in the north...could last much longer," Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, thearmy's chief of staff, said.

Israeli Forces Strike Gaza, Warn On Hiding Weapons
Israeli forces killed three people and wounded six in the Gaza Strip, officialssaid, and the army dropped leaflets on towns and villages warning that homes thatare hiding arsenals of weapons would be attacked. During the army's second day of an operation in the Mughazi refugee camp incentral Gaza, Israeli aircraft carried out two strikes against Palestinianmilitants, the army said.

Canadian Evacuations From Lebanon Prompt Anger, Confusion
Canadians were slowly being evacuated from Lebanon on amid growing anger andconfusion, with some now headed for Turkey and others destined for a luxuryflight home aboard Prime Minister Stephen Harper's military aircraft.

An Israeli-controlled oil refinery in Haifa was operating at nearly full capacityThursday, following rocket attacks by Hezbollah forces Wednesday, a spokesman forthe refinery's operator said.

OTHER STORIESUPDATE:

Russia: Israeli Actions In Lebanon Are Excessive

Syria: Top UN Mideast Negotiator Not Welcome In Damascus
EU's Solana Meets Egypt's Mubarak Over Mideast Conflict
Lebanon To Vatican For Help Pushing Cease-Fire
Lebanon PM Says Italian Paper Misquoted Him On Hezbollah
Egyptian Foreign Min Calls For Middle East Cease-Fire
Bangladesh Min:Israel's Attacks In Lebanon Is "Terrorism"