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Foreign Minister Lieberman
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Lieberman to world: What about Syria?

Foreign minister slams international community for failing to intervene in Syria, Iran like in Libya

The world community must intervene in favor of the people of Syria and Iran, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday in a meeting with foreign envoys on the occasion of Independence Day.

 

The minister, who led the session along with President Shimon Peres, said that the oppression of protestors in Syria, Yemen, Libya and other states in the region cannot be justified. He then wondered why the international community intervened in Libya, but not in Iran or in Syria.

 

"What conclusions should we draw from this inconsistency?" he told the envoys, adding that the world's conduct was sending an upsetting message to residents of the Middle East while pushing peace, security and democracy further away.

 

Turning his attention to the Palestinians, Lieberman said the PA wasted the nine-month settlement construction freeze without any intention to enter genuine negotiations with Israel. The Palestinians were clearly seeking "excuses" in order to avoid significant talks that could lead to a comprehensive solution, the foreign minister said.

 

The Palestinians are certain that the international community will stand by them under any circumstances and feel they can gain more through the world than through talks with Israel, Lieberman said. He stressed that Israel is ready to embark on talks without preconditions at once, but made it clear that there will be no new construction freeze in Jerusalem or in Judea and Samaria – "not for three months, not for three days, and not even for three hours."

 

The world community must realize that Israel is the region's only state to honor international norms, while facing ceaseless terror waves, he said.

 

Addressing the recent Palestinian unity deal, Lieberman said it raises many questions. The fact that Hamas mourned Osama bin Laden's death illustrates the nature of the group, which Fatah now refers to as an equal government partner, he said, noting that the reconciliation agreement says more about Fatah than it does about Hamas.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.10.11, 19:16
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