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Rice in Israel, Conditions Cease-Fire

Posted on: Tuesday, 25 July 2006, 00:00 CDT

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Israel Monday any cease-fire in Lebanon would have to be designed to ensure long-term peace.

Rice told reporters before meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni that she had sympathy for innocent civilians caught in the fighting, but added, If we have learned anything, it is that any peace is going to have to be based on enduring principles and not temporary solutions, the Voice of America reported. We will talk about how to get an enduring cessation of violence, how to deal with the significant humanitarian problems that are currently facing the people of Lebanon.

The United States has refused to support any cease-fire which leaves Hezbollah militants along the Israeli-Lebanon border, VOA said.

Fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah is in its second week, ignited by a Hezbollah raid into Israel and the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers. Israeli air strikes have caused massive destruction in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, U.S. President George Bush has ordered helicopters and ships to help stem the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.

Earlier Monday, Rice and a diplomatic entourage made a surprise stop in Beirut for talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Among U.S. concerns is that the Lebanese government does not have control over its own territory, allowing the militants to operate freely in their attacks on northern Israel, CNN reported.

Source: United Press International

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