Nine of the 15 council members voted for the resolution and six abstained.

Resolution 1559, originally proposed by France and the United States, came as Lebanese legislators prepared to vote Friday on a controversial constitutional change demanded by Syria that would allow pro-Damascus president Emile Lahoud, set to leave office November 24, to remain for an extra three years.

"We thought that we had to act now because the situation in Lebanon is moving very quickly," said US Ambassador John Danforth.

"The governement of Syria has imposed its political will on Lebanon and has compelled the cabinet and the national assembly to amend its constitution and abort the electoral process. We believe Lebanon should be allowed to determine its own future and assume control of its territory."

The resolution said upcoming Lebanese presidential elections should be "free and fair elections according to Lebanese constitutional rules devised without foreign interference or influence."

The council "reaffirms its call for the strict respect of Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence under the sole and exclusive authority of the government of Lebanon throughout Lebanon."

The resolution had been amended from its original version to ensure its passage. A demand "that Syrian forces withdraw without delay from Lebanon" was changed to a demand "that foreign forces withdraw without delay from Lebanon."

It calls "for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias," and "supports the extension of the control of the government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory."