MOSCOW, August 6 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon in a phone talk with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the presidential press office said.

Heavy fighting continues in southern Lebanon after three weeks of bloodshed, in which more than 900 Lebanese civilians, largely civilians, have lost their lives. More than 70 Israelis have been killed, mainly servicemen.

"Putin and Blair exchanged opinions on the situation in the Middle East, first of all, in Lebanon, and on the preparation of a corresponding resolution of the UN Security Council," the press office said.

Putin said during the telephone conversation initiated by the British side that combat operations in Lebanon had resulted in hundreds of human victims and had put the region on the brink of a humanitarian disaster, the press office said.

Both parties said it was important to reach a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East and restore a peaceful political process, the press office said.