UN official: we come to Lebanon to declare our solidarity
Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/17/2006

Israel said today that it bombed nine bridges, and roads in what Israel likes to describe as "access routes, and primary structures of the Hezbollah terror organization."

Following Israel's attacks on civilian infrastructure, including Lebanons' airport, major general roads, and other areas, Hizbullah attacked Israeli areas. Israel said that eight employees of Israel Railways were killed in a direct hit at the Haifa train depot Sunday morning. Israel's Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz said that the more advanced Fajar missiles fired at Haifa were made in Syria.

Since Wednesday approximately 1,400 rockets have landed inside Israel.

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday "This is a very difficult morning for all of us. The severe blows on Haifa follow the murderous attacks on population centers throughout the country. These attacks are designed to hurt civilians because this is Hizbullah's criminal war against Israel and its residents."

In an interesting statement coming out of Israeli officials, The Israelis talked about their concern for attacks that "hurt (Israeli) civilians". A statement a statement by Israel's Prime Minister Olmert emphasized yesterday that Israel is not fighting Lebanon but the terrorist element there, led by Nasrallah and his cohorts, who have made Lebanon a hostage and created Syrian- and Iranian-sponsored terrorist enclaves of murder." This confusing remark comes after Olmert and other Israeli officials had days ago at the start of the Israeli aggressions held the Lebanon directly responsible for what is happening. Israel at the start of its aggression bombed Lebanese army bases in various areas of Lebanon.

This comes amid very wide condemnation of the Israeli attacks on Lebanese civilians, and civilian infrastructure such as Lebanon's main civilian airport (Rafiq al-Hariri International Airport), bridges, roads, and a sea and air blockade to destroy the civilian and economic life of the country. At least 116 Lebanese civilians and several hundred others wounded.

The head of a three-member United Nations team dispatched to the Middle East in response to the unfolding crisis there had arrived in Beirut as an "act of solidarity" with the Lebanese people bearing a call from Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the protection of civilians, support for Lebanon's Government and the release of all those held captive.

"I have come to Lebanon as the head of this United Nations mission as an act of solidarity with the people of this country and the region, who have suffered untold misery as a result of this escalating conflict," Vijay Nambiar told reporters following a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

As efforts to defuse the crisis continue, he stressed three major points: "My first call is for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, which must be respected by all parties," he said.

"Enough innocent people have been killed. No more innocent life must be lost."

Secondly, he emphasized that the UN supports the Lebanese Government and Prime Minister. "We support the call for a ceasefire and their aim of exercising full authority over the entire country."

Nambiar's third point centred on "the release of the captives as part of a solution to this conflict."

The head of the three-member delegation, which includes also Alvaro de Soto and Terje Roed-Larsen, concluded his opening statement with a direct pledge to Mr. Siniora: "Mr. Prime Minister, we are with you and the people of this country and region at a time of grave crisis," Nambiar declared. "We plan to meet further with you."

Israel repeatedly violate Lebanon's sovereignty, air and sea, on a near daily basis, for which it has been asked repeatedly by the UN to stop doing so. Israel, shows no regard for international law, attacking Palestinian and Lebanese civilians and infrastructure. It does so knowing it has the best weapons given to it from the United States, and under the protection of the US veto at the UN Security Council where the US shoots down resolutions against Israel. Many international organizations have declared Israel to be in violation of International Humanitarian Law, Geneva Convention, organizations such as the Red Cross, Amnesty international, and others. The most recent public declaration that Israel has broken the Geneva Convention came days ago from the neutral country of Switzerland. The UN Human Rights Council two weeks ago also voted against Israel and agreed to investigate the Israel acts. Israel frames its aggressions as a defensive moves, without mentioning that it is an occupier and outlaw of international resolutions and laws.

Previous Stories:
  Iranian official: those quite help Israel's aggression   (7/15/2006)
  Moussa: Peace is dead due to Israel's aggression   (7/15/2006)
  Hizbullah declares extensive war against Israel's aggressions   (7/15/2006)

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