Kofi Annan reminds me of an powerless father that his children refuse to listen to:

"I condemn without reservation the attack that took place ... and demand that the Israeli troops be released immediately ..." Annan told a news conference in Rome.

Hezbollah guerrillas captured two Israeli soldiers and killed up to seven Israelis, in what Israel described as an act of war by Lebanon that would draw a "very painful" response.

Israel mobilised a reserve infantry division and Hezbollah declared an all-out military alert.

"I think they (regional leaders) should also do whatever they can to press all parties to exercise restraint. We are looking at a very dangerous part of the world and we would not want to see an expansion, an escalation of conflict in region," he said.

Not that I would know anything about that kind of situation, of course...