Region | Lebanon

International pressure grows

French President Jacques Chirac has called for a lasting ceasefire and "a show of moderation" in the Middle East.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 23:33 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

St. Petersburg, Russia: French President Jacques Chirac has called for a lasting?ceasefire and "a show of moderation" in the Middle East.

Speaking after a meeting with US President George W Bush, he said that "all parties involved" should make this effort.

However, despite growing international pressure, Bush has yet to back Lebanese calls for a truce and has previously defended Israel's actions, saying that it had the right to defend itself.

Russian President Vladimir Putin added to the pressure on Bush at the G8 summit when he said: "We have the impression that, besides rescuing the servicemen who have been abducted, Israel is pursuing other, wider objectives."

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa also declared the peace process in the Middle East dead.

The growing international concern comes after the UN Security Council failed to agree on a statement calling for ceasefire in Lebanon.

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The blame for the lack of action has been laid squarely at the feet of America, with Lebanese representative Nouhad Mahmoud saying the lack of a decision would send the wrong signal to the Lebanese people.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora had made an passionate plea for a UN supervised truce during a televised address on Saturday night.

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