_wa&91;1&93;_m.jpg "Photo: Eli Elgarat")
Peretz: Lebanon flyovers until troops return
Defense minister tells EU’s Solana Israel will continue flights over Lebanon until UN Resolution 1701 implemented in its entirety. On Iran Peretz says, ' threat should be the concern of the entire world'
Media reports on Wednesday claimed that two IDF F-16 aircraft fired towards German navy ships docking off the Lebanese coast. A German newspaper, quoting a junior Defense Minister, reported that the aircraft also dropped flares which protect the planes from anti-aircraft missiles. A spokesman for the German Ministry of Defense confirmed that report to the Reuters news agency. Peretz spoke with German Defense Secretary Pranz Josef Yung a short hour later and clarified that the incident never took place.
The IDF explained that the wire reports were issued after IDF planes identified a German ship and helicopter off the coast of Rosh HaNikra. The helicopter lifted off the shop without the necessary coordination and because of this the IDF planes approached it. A short while later, with the IDF planes still in Israeli airspace they returned to base without incident.
Peretz told Solana that as far as Israel is concerned UN Resolution 1701 has not yet been fully implemented. He warned that as long as this was true, Israel's flights, a security necessity, would continue.
Israel insists on implementation of 1701. Peretz and Solana (Photo: AP)
After the meeting between the two, Peretz associates said that the defense minister spoke with Solana in depth about the nuclear issue. "This is a national matter, and the Iranian threat should be the concern of the entire world," said Peretz to Solana.
Peretz also spoke about the Palestinian issue, telling his guest that action must be taken to "thaw the political standstill.”
He also noted that he remains committed to the humanitarian needs of the Gaza Strip. During the talk the two also discussed the situation in Syrian and about the instability of President Bashar Assad's statements regarding peace with Israel.
"Israel is following the Assad's doubletalk – war threats alongside talks of peace," Peretz explained to Solana.
Solana to Livni: Israeli-Palestinian dialogue stalled
Solana also met with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Vice Premier Shimon Peres Thursday. During his meeting with Livni, Solana said that there was a feeling that negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians were "stalled".
"We want to move forward towards a dialogue to create hope," he said. He stated that the European Union is working to stabilize the area and the conflicts within it, in order to bring about a more secure situation for both parties.
Solana stressed that the bottom line was two states for two peoples, who will live in peace and security, based on the guidelines of the Road Map.
Livni said that it was important to change the reality on the ground, strengthen Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and send a message to the Palestinian message that change is possible, "but cannot happen as long as Hamas rules their lives."
She stated optimistically that there have been positive repercussions to taking an assertive stance, based on the terms of the Quartet, citing that Israel is already seeing changes on the ground and within the Palestinian population.
"The extremists cannot do whatever they want," she explained.
Livni also addressed the Iranian threat, in preparation for a meeting on the
Livni also asked to stress the Iranian threat, prior to a discussion of the European proposal regarding the UN Security Council sanctions on the country.
"The world cannot afford a nuclear Iran, and we have to take the necessary steps in order to prevent them from acquiring nuclear technology," she said. "We believe that sanctions must be taken against the Iranians to make them understand that the world cannot accept the continuation of developing nukes.
"The world must also understand that we must not wait for the moment there is a bomb, but have to address the problem during the enrichment process," she added.
Solana briefly addressed the issue, saying that the responsibility lied on the Security Council and that the entire issue was being examined and dealt with.
