Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon led the informal dialogue between the Security Council and the League of Arab States on 26 September, telling reporters after the closed-door meeting that the participating countries agreed about the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, in both Gaza and Lebanon.

"As a representative of Slovenia, I can say we're very concerned about the developments in the Middle East. Slovenia has been warning since the start of the Gaza war that it could spill over and the violence in Lebanon could lead to war in the region."

Fajon added that she had called on all those with influence to step up pressure for a ceasefire and for an Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territories.

Israel must honour its commitments as a UN member state, she said, stressing that peace was the key word in all her discussions during the UN General Assembly.

"We have collective responsibility to respect the Security Council resolutions and do everything we can for a political solution, because a military solution cannot bring peace to the region."

Slovenia has recognised Palestine and Fajon called on all countries to do the same.

She also expressed support for the plan for a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary general of the Arab League, confirmed the meeting between Security Council members and four Arab representatives - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq and Egypt - had focused on the need for an immediate ceasefire and had endorsed the plan for Lebanon drawn up by the US and France.