CAIRO [MENL] -- Arab and European leaders have urged the United States not to press Lebanon to disarm Hizbullah.

Western diplomatic sources said Arab and European allies of the United States have sent messages to the Bush administration that called on Washington to demonstrate patience with Hizbullah. The sources said the Arab and EU messages warned that the new Lebanese government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora was incapable of pressing Hizbullah to disarm, a demand by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559.

"It's an issue that will have to be done gradually and as part of a political process with Israel," a European diplomat said.

On Thursday, Lebanese insurgents fired a rocket into northern Israel, which did not cause injuries. Lebanese sources said Hizbullah fired the Katyusha.