UNITED NATIONS - France introduced a Security Council draft resolution seeking to extend the mission of the UN force in southern Lebanon, diplomats here said Tuesday.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) monitors the separation of forces following the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon.

The force also helps the Lebanese armed forces deploy to the area, and helps make sure humanitarian assistance reaches area civilians.

The UN draft resolution seeks to extend UNIFIL's mission, which officially ends on August 31, by one year.

The draft resolution appeals "to all parties concerned" to respect the end of hostilities, and urges them to cooperate with UN officials "to achieve a permanent cease-fire and a long term solution" to hostilities.

The resolution "emphasizes the need for greater progress in this regard."

The UN peacekeeping force was first deployed in the region since 1978. It currently has 13,500 troops along with 1,000 civilian employees, compared to only 2,000 before 2006. -Agencies