US: We'll push for Hizbullah's disarmament in UN
In Washington press conference, president talks of plan to push for new Security Council resolution. According to American envoy to UN, resolution would call on UN force to disarm Hizbullah
President George W. Bush on Monday called for quick deployment of an international force with robust rules of engagement to help uphold the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon.
"The need is urgent," Bush said. "The international community must now designate the leadership of this new international force, give it robust rules of engagement and deploy it as quickly as possible to secure the peace," the president told a news conference.
Shortly after the UN force deploys, Washington plans to push for another Security Council resolution that will instruct the multinational force to disarm Hizbullah.
The American envoy to the UN, John Bolton, said that a critical element in a resolution for the crisis is an implementation of Resolution 1559, which calls for the disarmament of all armed militias.
The president opened Monday's news conference with a statement about humanitarian aid for Lebanon after 34 days of fighting and the international peacekeeping force for southern Lebanon.
It was his first full scale news conference since July 7 in Chicago and was held in the White House conference center, the temporary quarters for reporters during a renovation of the media briefing room in the West Wing of the White House.
Bush said that the international force in Lebanon would help keep Hizbullah from acting as a "state within a state."
"The United States will do our part," he said. While the US does not plan to contribute troops, it will help logistic support, command and control help and intelligence.
He said it was "the most effective contribution we can make at this time."
Bush also said he hoped France would send more peacekeeping troops to Lebanon.
He said the United States was pledging an additional USD 230 million to help Lebanese rebuild their homes and return to their towns and communities.
'There will be consequences for Tehran's actions'
In the press conference, Bush urged the international community to act at the UN to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions and said there had to be a "consequence" for Tehran's actions.
Iran is set to respond by Aug. 31 to a UN Resolution to give up its nuclear enrichment program or face sanctions later on.
White House press conference (Photo: AP)
"It's up to the international community, including the United States, to work in concert for effective diplomacy, and that begins at the UN Security Council," Bush told a news conference.
He said there had to be a "consequence" for Iran ignoring demands to give up its nuclear ambitions.
Iran, which Bush also accused of stoking up violence in Lebanon, has indicated it will not give up its nuclear program.
"We will see what their response is and we're beginning to get some indication but we'll wait till they give a formal response," Bush said.
"Dates are fine but what really matters is will," He added.
"I want to resolve this diplomatically," He said.
Yitzhak Benhorin contributed to the report
