Israel has agreed to suspend air strikes over southern Lebanon for 48 hours to allow a probe into Sunday's Qana attack.

The announcement came after intensive talks between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Israeli officials.

More than 50 civilians, about 30 of them children, died in the attack on Qana on Sunday, the deadliest Israeli raid since its undeclared war with Lebanon started on 12 July.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said attacks in Qana were "absolutely tragic" and that the situation "absolutely cannot continue."

Blair said that a U.N. resolution must be passed now and once passed, the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah must immediately stop.

"Our hope for peace for boys and girls everywhere extends across the world, especially in the Middle East," President George W. Bush said before the start of a T-ball game at the White House.

"Today's actions in the Middle East remind us that friends and allies must work together for a sustainable peace particularly for the sake of children."

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