BEIRUT, Lebanon – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice disappointed her Lebanese hosts Monday by saying in a face-to-face visit that the U.S. would not press Israel for a quick cease-fire without addressing the longer-term threat from Hezbollah guerrillas.

With little diplomatic progress to show for her lightning trip to Beirut, the Bush administration instead focused on the announcement of $30 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon, which has borne the brunt of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Rice’s visit marked the first high-level U.S. diplomatic mission to the area since fighting erupted on July 12, violence that has complicated hopes for peace and democracy in the region.

Lebanese leaders had hoped her trip would hasten a cease-fire in the fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militants in Lebanon that has claimed hundreds of lives, mostly Lebanese civilians.

“Thank you for your courage and steadfastness,” she told Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, who has repeatedly asked for international help in bringing a halt to cross-border Israeli-Hezbollah shelling. However, Rice made clear that would not pressure Israeli leaders for an immediate cease-fire.