Region | Lebanon
World divided over Lebanon
Israel pounded Lebanon for the third straight day on Friday in relentless attacks that have killed about 60 people, as the international community appeared divided on how to stop the crisis.
- By Jumana Al Tamimi, GCC & Middle East Editor
- Published: 00:00 July 14, 2006
Dubai: Israel pounded Lebanon for the third straight day on Friday in relentless attacks that have killed about 60 people, as the international community as well as the Arab world appeared divided on ways to halt the escalating crisis.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan voiced continued support to Lebanon, and called on the "international community to redouble efforts to immediately and urgently end the current aggression on Lebanon".
The Abu Dhabi talks coincided with a Jordanian-Egyptian summit in Cairo on the crisis, as well as meetings of UN security Council where Lebanon urged the international body to quickly impose a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, saying Israel?s actions were "aimed at bringing Lebanon to its knees and subverting it by any means," said Lebanese foreign ministry official Nouhad Mahmoud.
However, Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman said the Lebanese Government had brought the Israeli actions on itself.
Saudi Arabia indirectly accused Hezbollah of inciting Israel against Lebanon.
White House said George W. Bush "believes the Israelis have the right to protect themselves," and that he wants Israel to minimise the risk of casualties in its campaign in southern Lebanon, but will not press it to halt its military operation.
French President Jacques Chirac calls Israeli strikes "completely disproportionate" and Hezbollah "irresponsible".
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