More than 800 people have been killed in the monthlong conflict that has devastated Lebanon.
``This diplomatic activity is not being conducted in a quiet academic environment," said Vitaly Churkin, Russia's UN ambassador. ``War is raging in Lebanon and the humanitarian situation is getting catastrophic."
He said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan supported the Russian proposal for a 72-hour cease-fire.
The Russian ambassador said his proposal also called for diplomats to speed up their efforts to seek a political solution.
``We hope it will focus minds, it will energize politicians and diplomats," Churkin said.
He said Russia wanted a vote on its resolution this evening, which would allow the required 24 hours for other council members to consult with their governments.
Meanwhile, intensive negotiations among key Security Council members were underway on the US-French proposal, lasting through yesterday evening .
In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was quoted as saying the new proposal being drafted by the United States and France ``has positive significance that may bring the war to an end."
``We're making progress and it's entirely possible we could have a vote tomorrow," Bolton said after a meeting with his French counterpart, Jean-Marc de La Sabliere. ``We've closed some of the areas of disagreement with the French."
The United States and France have been trying to bridge differences over a timetable for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and reach agreement on a resolution.
There were other signs that long-awaited action by the UN Security Council might be near.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett of Britain said she was flying to New York to ``reinforce" Britain's efforts to reach agreement on a resolution, calling the situation ``urgent" and saying that ``we need now to complete the task."
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also was prepared to come to vote ``or, if need be, to work out any last-minute details," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
In Jerusalem, Israeli officials said they would hold off on expanding the offensive in Lebanon to give diplomacy more time to work. The Security Cabinet has authorized Olmert to expand the offensive.
