Livni in France: Objective – free, democratic Lebanon
Foreign minister interviewed by French news agencies about Lebanese ceasefire, Iranian nukes. Meetings Wednesday and Thursday with French, Italian and Belgian foreign ministers to advance establishment of multinational force in Lebanon, secure release of kidnapped Israeli soldiers
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said in interviews with three French news agencies that Iran constitutes a global threat and, with each passing day, gets closer to achieving nuclear capabilities.
In response to questions on the UN's carrot-and-stick approach to Iran's uranium enrichment, Livni said that Tehran was merely trying to buy time in order to complete its objectives and that the issue must be addressed by the international community.
Livni is on a two-day mission in France and Italy in order to advance the establishment of a multinational force in southern Lebanon and to facilitate efforts to secure the release of kidnapped soldiers Eldad Regev, Ehud Goldwasser and Gilad Shalit. Wednesday morning, she met with the French and Belgian foreign ministers and is scheduled to meet French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.
During her morning meetings, Livni appealed to the foreign ministers regarding the embargo on Hizbullah, stressing the importance of maintaining and enforcing a serious arms embargo, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1701. This would lead to a democratic Lebanon, free of militias, said Livni, recalling the need for one army, one force, and one government in Lebanon. She believes that true Lebanese sovereignty could lead to peace with Israel.
Forces in south Lebanon
Livni's first meeting Wednesday was with the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel de Gucht, who announced that his country was considering sending a significant force to south Lebanon. According to the minister, the final decision will be made at a government meeting this upcoming Friday.
He also stated that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is scheduled to meet Friday with foreign ministers of nations participating in the multinational force, in order to advance the issue.
After this meeting, Livni met with French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, who said that his country was the first to send two hundred troops to the multinational forces, in addition to French soldiers already serving in south Lebanon. He further stated that France has a combat supporting force in the area comprised of some 1,700 soldiers on ships nearby.
Douste-Blazy added the France's PM will announce in upcoming days whether or not the country will send additional soldiers to the region.
Wednesday night, Livni will take off for Rome, where she will conduct similar meetings with Italian officials.
