| Submit your comments on this article |
| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| EU Clashes Over Ceasefire |
| 2006-08-01 |
| EU foreign ministers have clashed at emergency talks over a draft statement calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hizbollah in Lebanon. The statement also warned of violations of humanitarian law in the three-week-old conflict. It went on to say a political solution was needed before an international peacekeeping force could be deployed. Diplomats said France, Sweden, Spain and Greece backed the draft but it was rejected by Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland. That split is certainly not surprising. A British official said the text had been sprung on ministers without consultation and was completely unacceptable. Would the French do that? Sky's Foreign Affairs Editor Tim Marshall said any call by the EU for the fighting to end now will fall on deaf ears. "On one hand you can argue the EU has a voice in the world... and it's taking the humanitarian line. On the other hand, you can say, 'How many divisions has the EU got? What difference does it make, this ground-breaking, historic agreement - the latest in a long line?'" The row came as Israel pounded towns and villages after approving a military sweep four miles into Lebanon. Fierce resistance from Hizbollah reportedly left three Israeli soldiers dead in the village Aita al Shaab. In other developments, Israeli aircraft have bombed eastern Lebanon near Syria to prevent "the transferring of weaponry" to Hizbollah, the army said. Israel's Justice Minister Haim Ramon today claimed 300 Hizbollah fighters have been killed since the fighting began. The tourism minister has it at 400. At least 605 people have died in Lebanon in the violence, although some estimates put the figure at well over 800. At least 51 Israelis are known to have been killed. Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said there is no end to the hostilities in sight. That's the good news. |
| Posted by:Nimble Spemble |