Aug. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Israel today ordered the military to begin expanding its ground offensive in southern Lebanon as the U.S. and France agreed on a draft United Nations resolution designed to end the conflict.

The Israeli Defense Ministry announced the military operation and drew criticism from Lebanon's government, which said Israel's intention is to ``destroy'' the country.

French and U.S. envoys ``have an agreement, but we need to be sure with our two capitals,'' French government spokesman Axel Cruau said. The governments are in touch with Lebanese and Israeli officials about the measure, which will be presented to the Security Council at 3 p.m. New York time, Cruau said.

The resolution offers up to 15,000 UN troops for Lebanon, CNN reported. Israel's Channel 10 television, citing unidentified diplomats, said the Israeli government supported the measure.

Defense Minister Amir Peretz earlier gave the order for Israeli forces to move deeper into Lebanon after instructions from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Israel's Aug. 9 plan to expand the operation had been delayed to allow more time for UN diplomats to agree on a Security Council measure aimed at ending the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

``The decision was taken because we were waiting for the United Nations resolution, and it has been dragging on, and meanwhile rockets are falling on northern Israel,'' Yigal Palmor, spokesman for Israel's foreign ministry said. ``The moment there is a resolution, the government will meet and examine it. We still want to see a political settlement.''

Putin Conversation

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, by telephone late today at Iran's request, according to the Kremlin Web site.

``It was acknowledged by both sides that the situation in Lebanon and in the region in general has become more strained,'' since their last conversation on July 25, the Kremlin said on the Web site. The two sides discussed Russia's proposal to the UN Security Council, the Kremlin said, without giving further detail.

Israeli forces had advanced about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) inside Lebanon since the conflict began July 12 after Hezbollah fighters seized two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border attack.

`Another Obstacle'

``This goes to prove that Israel's war is not to free its prisoners, but to destroy Lebanon,'' Lebanese presidential spokesman Rafik Shlala said in a telephone interview after the Israeli decision to expand the operation. ``This is yet another obstacle introduced by Israel after a series of obstacles in the way of reaching a settlement to the conflict.''

Ali Fayyad, a member of Hezbollah's Central Council, declined to comment on Israel's decision to expand the offensive.

The Russian envoy to the Security Council, Vitaly Churkin, said earlier in the day that he was willing to back off his proposal for a 72-hour cease-fire in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah if a broader U.S.-French proposal went to a vote.

72 Hours

Russia had said it would ask the Security Council to demand a 72-hour truce to allow humanitarian aid into Lebanon, a proposal the U.S. said would hamper efforts to get agreement on a resolution to permanently end the fighting.

Israel said it wants captured soldiers returned and an end to the presence in southern Lebanon of Hezbollah, which is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel. Arab leaders have sought an immediate withdrawal of Israeli soldiers.

``We're working for a vote today,'' U.S. Secretary of State Rice told reporters at the UN this morning.

At least 861 Lebanese, 30 of them soldiers, have died in the violence, according to the latest police and military tallies from both countries. More than 3,400 Hezbollah rockets have hit Israel since the conflict began.

``It is important that we make progress today,'' UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said earlier today. ``Each day the deliberations continue, the deaths, killing and destruction continue.''

UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland yesterday said Israeli and Lebanese civilians were the ``biggest losers'' in the conflict. He blamed both Hezbollah and Israel for preventing aid supplies from reaching Lebanese civilians, calling the situation a ``disgrace,'' the UN said on its Web site.

To contact the reporters on this story: Caroline Alexander in London at calexander1@bloomberg.net; Courtney Dentch in New York at cdentch1@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: August 11, 2006 15:48 EDT