"A national consensus on the tribunal is the best for Lebanon," Pedersen ( R) said at a news briefing at the U.N. headquarters in Beirut on Friday.

"All agreed during the national dialogue on the tribunal in principle," Pedersen said. "Let them now sit down together and agree on the details and discuss it."

"We believe this would be the best for Lebanon and the best for justice and this is what we are looking for," he added.

Pedersen said Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has told him he was ready to sit down with the Hezbollah-led Opposition to discuss the tribunal.

"We are hoping that we will see this happen very soon," he said.

Pederson said that in order to see justice served, the feuding Lebanese camps have a responsibility to solve the tribunal issue on the principles both sides have agreed on.

"It is not serving the interest of Lebanon to delay this process. We need to find a quick solution," he stressed.

Pedersen described as "excellent" relations between U.N. peacekeepers and southern villagers and between the international force and the Lebanese army.

On Israel's violations, Pedersen said: "As long as Israel, as long as Lebanon, and as long as the different actors in Lebanon respect the resolution (1701) I am optimistic when it comes to the future and stability of the region."

Sources: Naharnet, Ya Libnan