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UK conditions calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, July 20, IRNA
UK Beckett-Lebanon Ceasefire
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett admitted for the first time Thursday that the British government was seeking a ceasefire in Lebanon but suggested that conditions had to be first met.

"Everyone is working urgently towards a cease-fire," Beckett said at a press conference after holding a meeting with her Egyptian counterpart Aboul Gheit.

But nine days after Israel launched a blitzkrieg of attacks, she went on to add that it was "crucial' a ceasefire would be lasting before making any call.

"What we need are plans and proposals that will allow the Lebanese government and armed forces to have complete control over their territory," the Foreign Secretary said. She made no reference to Israel's continuing attacks in Gaza.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has come under mounting criticism from the Liberal Democrats as well as some of his party's backbench MPs for failing to demand that Israel immediately ends its bombing of Lebanese civilians and its infrastructure.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Blair said that he should call on both sides to have a ceasefire but that Britain's influence with Hezbollah is "somewhat limited."

"It has to stop by undoing how it started, and it started with the kidnap of Israeli soldiers and the bombardment of northern Israel. If we want this to stop, that has to stop," he insisted.

What we need condition Britain's call that comes nine days after Israel launched blitzkrieg of attacks, that plans were first needed to "allow the Lebanese government and armed forces to have complete control over their territory."

Beckett said that "everyone is seriously concerned, seriously distressed at the numbers of people that have been killed, injured or indeed the many thousands who have been displaced as a result of this conflict."

But the British government's call was only to "continue to appeal to the Israeli government to act with the utmost restraint." The UK does "urge them to take account of the impact on civilians." The foreign secretary spoke of her government so far arranging to take over 1000 British nationals from Beirut to Cyprus, including about 80 who have arrived back in the UK.

Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman was traveling to Cyprus Thursday to review the evacuation, with over 20,000 British and joint UK-Lebanese nationals that live in the country.

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