Israel urges Lebanon to start talks soon

Israel has told Lebanon it wants to start talks, before Christmas if possible , on withdrawing its invasion force, Prime Minister Shafik Wazzan said Tuesday.

The Lebanese minister said Israel's position was communicated to the Lebanese government by US envoy Morris Draper. A Lebanese government spokesman said later that Mr. Draper did not mention any venue for the talks. Lebanon, which has favored starting talks as soon as possible, has accused Israel of imposing impossible conditions for the start of negotiations.