Israel launched a military operation in Lebanon after the Hizbollah Islamist group took two Israeli soldiers hostage last week. Over 200 Lebanese civilians have since been killed in fighting.
"The only way of resolving the Middle East conflict is by political and diplomatic means," Sergei Ivanov told journalists in reply to a question on whether Russian peacekeepers might be sent to the area. "I do not see any other option."
Ivanov, who is also a deputy prime minister, said the issue of peacekeeping could only be discussed after both conflicting sides agreed to the idea.
"The UN Security Council will within the next few days or even hours adopt a resolution, but we can only start talking about peacekeepers when both parties to the conflict have given their consent," he said, echoing a position voiced by the Russian leadership over the last few days.
"Otherwise the presence of peacekeepers is pointless," Ivanov said.
