Ambassador Shalev
Photo: Reuters
Israel's UN envoy: Lebanese say enough to Hezbollah
During Security Council session, Shalev reads excerpts from letter addressed to President Suleiman in which Lebanese citizens slam 'cover-up' that followed recent explosion at Shiite group's arms cache; 'If you are acting in the name of Allah, you must clear the civilian areas of weapons and anything else that endangers our lives,' they say
During a special Security Council session on the Middle East on Monday, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gabriela Shalev read excerpts from a letter written by Lebanese citizens in which they demanded that Hezbollah refrain from storing weapons in civilian areas.
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"The recent explosion (in Hezbollah's arms depot in south Lebanon) was very dangerous, and it prompted us to publicly say what everyone is trying to conceal: Illegal arms are being stored by Hezbollah within civilian population areas in basements near our children," the Lebanese citizens wrote in the letter, which was addressed to President Michel Suleiman and published by the Al Mustaqbal daily on July 16.
"The cover-up that followed the incident served the interests of certain elements at the expense of the well-being of Lebanese citizens," the letter read.
"We are not naïve. We've already experienced a massive disaster in 2006 (Second Lebanon War) during what you (Hezbollah) called a victory. If you are acting in the name of Allah and the religious leadership, then you must clear the civilian areas of weapons and anything else that endangers our lives."
In her speech, Shalev criticized what she referred to as Hezbollah violations of Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the war between Israel and the Shiite group and called for the UN's immediate intervention in south Lebanon.
The ambassador said Hezbollah was being financed by Iran, adding that the Security Council must work towards removing the nuclear threat emanating from Tehran and curb Iran's support of terrorist organizations.
Shalev also warned of Hamas' "preparations to resume its armed conflict with Israel," saying Jerusalem had evidence "indicating that the terror group has amassed more than 330 mortars, 37 rockets, 46 anti-aircraft missiles, 40 anti-tank missiles and 17 tons of explosives that were smuggled into Gaza."
