I am extremely concerned by the events currently unfolding in the Middle East. The tragic loss of civilian life on both sides is a deeply troubling.
Indiscriminate rocket attacks against Israeli citizens are not acceptable. Nor is incursion on to Israeli territory to kill and kidnap soldiers justified. We should not be surprised that Israel chose to exercise her right to protect her citizens and defend her territory.
It is a huge relief to all of us that a ceasefire is now in operation. It is vitally important that the international community shows an intense, co-ordinated and powerful effort to maintain the ceasefire and bring about a lasting resolution to the crisis.
I believe that the release of the Israeli hostages, the end of rocket attacks on Israel and a future for Lebanon without armed militias are the key conditions necessary for implementation of an enduring ceasefire.
Only by addressing the long term causes of this crisis will we achieve lasting peace. This involves re-starting the ‘Road Map’ to peace; it is now imperative that we find a route to the resumption of dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians. It is crucial that negotiations on the basis of a two-state solution are resumed as soon as possible.
The international community also needs to address Iran's nuclear ambitions and Syria’s involvement in Lebanon. Everyone can now clearly see that the involvement of Iran and Syria in Hamas and Hezbollah is deeply destructive and must be addressed.
The international community also needs to secure implementation of UN
Resolution 1559 which requires the disbandment of the militias and the restoration of full control to the Lebanese government.
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