US President George W. Bush said on Friday that he and visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair support to quickly deploy a multinational force in Lebanon.

"We agree that a multinational force must be dispatched to Lebanon quickly to augment a Lebanese army as it moves to the south of that country," Bush said at a joint press conference with Blair.

"An effective multinational force will help speed delivery of humanitarian relief, facilitate the return of displaced persons, and support the Lebanese government as it asserts full sovereignty over its territory and guards its borders," Bush said.

Bush says Rice to return to Mideast

US President George W. Bush said on Friday that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will return to the Middle East region on Saturday to try to find a political solution to the conflicts between Israel and Lebanon.

"Tomorrow, Secretary Rice will return to the region. She will work with the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to seize this opportunity to achieve lasting peace and stability for both of their countries," Bush said at a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Bush apologizes to Blair over weapons flights

US President George W. Bush apologized to British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday for using a Scottish airport to transport bombs to Israel, according to Blair's spokesman.

"President Bush did apologize for the fact that proper procedures were not followed but that was all. It was just one line," the spokesman said as Blair flew from Washington to San Francisco to meet with British business community there.

"Sorry there was a problem," the spokesman quoted Bush as saying.

According to British media reports, the United States used the Glasgow Prestwick Airport at the weekend to transport bombs to Israel. However, US officials did not notify British authorities of their dangerous contents.

Britain has been a staunch ally of the United States.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2006)