Lahoud: Lebanon needs international support to example for tolerance

While the Lebanese Hizbullah party condemned the Canadian authorities banning of the party's activities inside its territories, the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud said that Lebanon has challenged terrorism and is against terrorism calling on world countries which believe in peace and justice to ensure to Lebanon all support in order to be the country of moderation and tolerance.

President Lahoud held Israel responsible for foiling all efforts and initiatives proposed by the UN and the Quartet committee and the EU aimed at finding a solution for the Arab- Israeli conflict.

During his meeting yesterday with a delegation representing the US Congress, Lahoud said that everyone has become convinced that Sharon continues his aggressive policy and therefore it is the responsibility of the international community to put an end to this policy which threatens security and stability in the world.

He called on the US to pave the way before UN inspectors to carry out their mission in Iraq, fairly and objectively to avoid a war, destruction and victims.

He stressed that dealing the situation in Iraq should be the responsibility of the international community because any unilateral behaviour by the US will bring the region into disorder which does not serve world peace and security, rather creates hostility feelings against the US.

On the other hand, Israel yesterday refused to release the two Lebanese militants, Sheikh Abdul Karim Obeid and Mustafa al-Deira ,who have been arrested following a kidnapping operation carried out by the Israeli forces in south Lebanon several years ago.

A complaint submitted by Obeid and al-Deirani to the Supreme Israeli court said that the decision of the Israeli authorities to continue their detention is a violation of man's dignity and in contradiction to the rules of the International Law.