Second, the UN must develop a comprehensive, modern and effective operational peace architecture, encompassing prevention, conflict resolution, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and long-term development -- the "peace continuum," ensuring the primacy of political solutions at all stages.
Mr. Ban also nudged China to play a greater role in peacekeeping and in finding political solutions to conflicts in Sudan and Somalia.
In the case of Nigeria and Sierra Leone, it's hardly a perfect solution, as Nigerian peacekeeping troops in the past have committed human-rights violations, looted and smuggled diamonds.
Even if all parties involved heed a call from Secretary General Kofi Annan and find a solution for the peacekeeping missions, the very fact that the United States cast a defiant veto in the teeth of its closest allies -- and that Britain and France were prepared to do likewise against Washington -- spoke of sharp differences and a growing mutual irritation.
As a temporary solution, Unifil, the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, has proposed taking control of the village's northern part.
But he said a U.N. peacekeeping force might eventually offer a solution.
Second, a new vision of peacekeeping is required, one that fully embodies regional solutions to regional problems by regional organizations.
The two men's remarks contrast with the approach of the Yugoslav president, Vojislav Kostunica, who has put the onus to contain the rebels on the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo and who advocates a political solution.
The latest suggestions for a solution centre on the possibility of a UN peacekeeping force to take control of the rebel-held territories.
In an unusual intervention, the United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan, came to the Security Council to appeal for a solution that would not compromise the future of peacekeeping operations, which he administered for many years.
