Siniora. Supports initiative
צילום: רויטרס
Siniora hails EU peace initiative for Mideast
A day after Israel rejects Spanish-French-Italian initiative for a Middle East ceasefire, Lebanese prime minister says his country welcomes plan. 'International community is asked to act as soon as possible in order to evacuate other occupied Arab territories,' he adds
Lebanon welcomed on Friday the Spanish-French-Italian initiative for a Middle East ceasefire, an exchange of prisoners and an international peace conference.
"We welcome this initiative," Prime Minister Fuad Siniora said.
"Its importance today lies in the fact that it asserts the Palestinian issue is central to a just and comprehensive settlement in our region," the premier said in a statement.
"The international community is asked to act as soon as possible in order to establish peace and stability in an independent Palestinian state, and to evacuate other (Israeli-) occupied Arab territories," he said.
Spain, France and Italy pushed on Thursday for a new Middle East peace plan including an international conference, in a move welcomed by the Palestinian Authority but promptly rejected by Israel.
The initiative also seeks a ceasefire, an exchange of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners, a Palestinian "government of national unity" and the despatch of a fact-finding mission to the Palestinian territories.
Diplomatic sources said Thursday the proposal from the three countries would be presented at the next European Union summit in December.
