Siniora: Israel endangering ceasefire

Lebanon's prime minister tells EU Parliament 'in order for ceasefire agreement to survive, Israel must withdraw from Lebanon without delay.' It is not enough to solve crisis between Israel and Hizbullah, but entire Palestinian problem must be solved too, he adds
News Agencies

During an address before the European Parliament in Strasburg, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora called on Israel not to delay their withdrawal from south Lebanon and to leave without delay, this despite statements by Defense Minister Amir Peretz to fully withdraw from Lebanon by the beginning of next week.

Border Defense

Halutz: If needed we'll fire at Hizbullah supporters / Ronny Sofer

Army chief makes it clear that if terror group members continue to demonstrate and hurl stones at vehicles near fence, IDF will not hesitate to open fire at them. He also tells ministers IDF issued warning to Lebanese army that any use of military equipment, including intelligence means, will constitute violation of ceasefire

Full Story

During his speech, Siniora had to field difficult questions from Parliament members. Hans-Gert Poettering, chairman of the European People's Party asked Siniora: "in Lebanon you have something like a state within a state. It is unacceptable for us ... This would be unacceptable anywhere. We have great misgivings about this kind of things. "

Siniora responded that the Lebanese were doing "all they can" to ensure the government had authority over the entire territory of the country and no armed group other than the Lebanese army held weapons.

Siniora called on the European Union on Wednesday to put pressure on the United States to play a more constructive role in achievin

g peace in the Middle East. Siniora said the Arab and Muslim worlds were at a crossroads that could either lead to peace or further extremism.

Siniora said what was needed was not only a fair implementation of the UN Security Council resolution to end the Israeli-Hizbullah conflict, but a resumption of the peace process to create a viable Palestinian state.