US, UN discuss Lebanon force

In a 14-minute telephone conversation, Annan also told Bush that progress is being made on assembling an international force.

US President George W Bush and UN chief Kofi Annan have agreed that they hoped to see "quick decisions" from major potential contributors to a UN force for Lebanon, the White House said.

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In a 14-minute telephone conversation on Wednesday, Annan also told Bush that "progress is being made on assembling an international force," according to Bush spokeswoman Dana Perino.

"They discussed the current efforts to assemble an international force for Lebanon, as called for in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, and agreed that quick decisions by the main potential contributors will be an important step," she said.

Bush also asked Annan to telephone after he returns from his upcoming trip to the West Asia, said Perino.

The president and the secretary general also discussed Iran's response to an offer by major world powers seeking to ensure that Tehran does not obtain nuclear weapons, as well as "the need for action" in Sudan's troubled Darfur province, the spokeswoman said.