EU : Israel got the message wrong
The European Union’s Finnish presidency has strongly denied it gave Israel the “green light” to continue their offensive in Lebanon. EU leaders met with the US and Arab nations in Rome on wednesday to discuss the ongoing crisis in Lebanon. Israel and Hezbollah are involved in severe fighting, with Israel bombing Lebanese cities, and Hezbollah launching rockets at Northern cities in Israel. Hundreds of people have died, mostly civilians. The United states blocked any effort to call for an immediate cease fire during the talks, with the UK not being in favour either unless there can be a sustainable solution to the conflict.
UK prime minister Tony Blair is planning to press US president George W. Bush to support “as a matter of urgency” a ceasefire in Lebanon as part of a UN security council resolution to be voted on next week, according to UK daily, The Guardian.
Britain and the US are isolated in their refusal to urge the two parties to immediately stop fighting, arguing the region needs a “sustainable” solution in a position viewed by some European diplomats as buying time for Israel to pound Hezbollah.
London and Washington have been circulating a text of the draft resolution which suggests a two-phased procedure to restore peace in the region.
The first phase would involve a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon with a small international force deployed on the border while Israeli troops withdraw from the country.
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Administrator @ July 28, 2006