Middle East resolution dissected

The wording of the draft UN ceasefire resolution between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon is dissected in the newspapers.

Writing in the Times, foreign editor Bronwen Maddox is encouraged that the United States and France, "with sharply differing opinions", agreed on a text.

But she also labels it "an exercise in avoiding difficult questions".

The Guardian paints a pessimistic view after latest Hezbollah attacks and the resolution's rejection by key states.

Oil slick catastrophe

The Daily Telegraph counts the environmental cost with a satellite image of a catastrophic oil slick.

It is spreading northwards along the Lebanese coastline as a result of the bombing by the Israelis on an oil depot south of Beirut.

The paper says the 12,000-ton slick stretches 70 miles with experts warning the spill might reach the beaches of Turkey, Cyprus and Greece.

It says Israel's refusal to provide aerial pictures hampers any response.

Call for troops

The death of Private Andrew Barrie Cutts, the 10th UK soldier to die in Afghanistan in two months, leads the Daily Mirror to call for extra troops.

It says, despite the arguments, those serving with Nato must be in enough numbers to complete their mission, and calls for 1,000 more fighting soldiers.

The Telegraph says the situation shows Des Browne to be an "all but invisible" defence secretary.

It says that is "unforgivable" when British troops face "agile terrorists".

Latex warning

The Daily Mail is angry at a leaked Downing Street study finding that downgrading cannabis to Class C led to a rise in its, and hard drugs', use.

It says ministers should not be remotely surprised because they were repeatedly warned of the consequences.

The Independent highlights concern that potentially fatal allergic reactions may be triggered "in sensitive people" by wrappers contaminated with latex.

The Food Standards Agency says there is no law to have it listed on labels.