Siniora: Israel endangering ceasefire

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.

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.