Region | Lebanon
Rice: Syria, Iran 'make a choice'
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday warned Syria and Iran that it was time for those countries to "make a choice" about their role in Middle East peace, following international crisis talks on Lebanon.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:00 July 27, 2006
Rome: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday warned Syria and Iran that it was time for those countries to "make a choice" about their role in Middle East peace, following international crisis talks on Lebanon.
The international community would work to "try to gain an understanding from other states that they have responsibilities too" in ending the violence in Lebanon, Rice told a news conference following the five-hour talks.
"Syria has a responsibility," Rice said.
"And we are deeply concerned, as we have said, about the role of Iran. It is high time that people make a choice."
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday said that it was important to include both Iran and Syria to reach an agreement to end fighting in Lebanon.
Rice, speaking at a news conference with Annan, said world diplomats agreed at crisis talks in Rome that a sustainable end to violence was needed in Lebanon.
Position
Hezbollah ready for indirect talks
Hezbollah, locked in fierce battles with Israeli forces in south Lebanon, yesterday demanded an immediate ceasefire and indirect talks for a prisoner exchange after world diplomats failed to agree an instant truce.
Mohammad Ra'ad, leader of Hezbollah's 14-member parliamentary bloc, said: "The position for the Lebanese government is to establish an immediate and complete ceasefire and to start indirect negotiations for a prisoner exchange. "Anything other than that is not acceptable," he said.
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