U.N. to Vote in the Next Hour

[Ed. note: Update: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has supposedly given his agreement to the resolution, but it's conditional on a cabinet vote there that will not happen until Sunday. It is also not clear whether this resolution would end Israel's intense bombardment of Lebanon anywhere near immediately.]

Well, tonight's the night. France and the U.S., the primary forces behind a supposed complete cessation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah, hopefully to stop the deaths of civilians in Israel and Lebanon (which has seen more than 12 persons dead for every murdered Israeli), have come to some agreement. Around 7 PM ET, they (the U.N. Security Council) are supposed to vote on the agreement as a resolution. And yes, Condi came out from hiding behind the Bush to "help" with it.

However, what I have not seen or heard is definite language that spells out that Israel MUST remove its forces from Lebanon which really must be done. I do know that the resolution spells out a force combined of both the Lebanese Army and international peacekeeping officers in Southern Lebanon, and also requires a fairly large perimeter into Lebanon that must be kept free of Hezbollah (not real sure how that will go). But if Israel isn't forced out of Lebanon, I don't see how this agreement is going to mean anything.

As it is, Israel has been blowing the hell out of Beirut all day. I don't see how there can be much left.

What really pisses me off - well, one of many on this subject - is how John Bolton kept saying this afternoon, "keep your fingers crossed." Really, John "the bully" Bolton? Is crossing our fingers the only way that you can possibly succeed at your job?