UN resolutions represent 'comprehensive Lebanese solution'
The president has faced criticism for his handling of the conflict
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The Lebanese parliament's speaker, Nabih Berri, has said that his country should reject the draft resolution currently being prepared by the UN security council. |  |
Monday, 07, Aug 2006 07:31
George Bush has defended the imminent UN security council resolutions regarding the ongoing conflict between Hizbullah militants and Israel in Lebanon, insisting that when delivered the measures will lay the "foundation for lasting peace".
Speaking from Texas, the US president outlined that the ultimate aim was for a democratically elected Lebanese government to be able to apply its authority over the entirety of its territory, including regions previously dominated by Hizbullah.
Washington has led the formation of two new resolutions along with France, a key exponent of a diplomatic solution to the violence in the Middle East, but they have so far been knocked back by Lebanon itself.
Lebanese diplomats are concerned that neither of the two resolutions explicitly lays out plans for the Israeli army to withdraw its ground troops.
But Mr Bush said the effect of the first resolution, which calls for Hizbullah and Israel to declare an immediate ceasefire and for the international community to enforce a ban on arms exports to Lebanon, and the second resolution, which reinforces the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and creates a mandate for a "robust international force", would help the Lebanese government to exert its sovereignty.
"Under this second resolution, the Lebanese armed forces, supported by the international force, will deploy to southern Lebanon," the president explained.
"This international force will help Lebanon patrol its border with Syria and prevent illegal arm shipments to Hizbullah. As these Lebanese and international forces deploy, the Israeli defence forces will withdraw. And both Israel and Lebanon will respect the blue line that divides them."
Mr Bush revealed that the UN security council resolutions were also aimed at "striking a blow against the terrorists and supporters", referring implicitly to both Iran and Syria.
He believes the prevention of terrorism in the region would undoubtedly "help the international community deliver humanitarian relief and support Lebanon's revival and reconstruction".
"The loss of life on both sides of the Lebanese-Israeli border has been a great tragedy," the president said.
"Millions of Lebanese civilians have been caught in the crossfire of military operations because of the unprovoked attack and kidnappings by Hizbullah. The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is of deep concern to all Americans, and alleviating it will remain a priority of my government."
But the president reiterated that no Israeli civilian should be forced to "live in bunkers in fear of missile attacks", as he pledged to address the "underlying conditions that are the root cause of the crisis".