BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP):

The United States yesterday declared an "urgent" need for international troops in Lebanon, while European nations appeared to be waiting for U.N. guidance that would clarify the rules of engagement - including the crucial question of using force against Hezbollah.

Mixed signals were emerging from the chief protagonists tasked with maintaining the fragile truce, promising more agonised uncertainty for the war-battered country. Diplomats expressed doubts over the chances for a breakthrough at a meeting of EU officials on Wednesday.

By that meeting, however, EU ambassadors, diplomats and defence ministry officials hope at least to have clear enough guidelines from the U.N. about a new mandate for UNIFIL - the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon - to be able to cobble together an international coalition.

"All the countries are saying what Germany is saying - we need the right rules for the deployment" said German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday.

But a few hours after Merkel's comments, U.S. President George W. Bush insisted on quick deployment of an international force to protect the fragile ceasefire, saying: "The need is urgent."

France - Lebanon's former colonial master - currently commands the existing 2,000-troop force. Through a string of diplomatic initiatives, including sending its prime minister and foreign minister to Lebanon, it has signalled it intends to continue playing a leading role.