Muslims press U.N. for truce in Lebanon
Thu Aug 3, 6:13 AM ET
The Islamic world's largest organization of countries demanded on Thursday that the U.N. implement an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon and investigate what it called flagrant human rights violations by Israel.
Leaders of key countries in the 56-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference, including Iran, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey, voiced strong support for the Lebanese people "in their legitimate and courageous resistance against the Israeli aggression."
"We demand that the United Nations Security Council fulfill its responsibility ... by deciding on and enforcing an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire," the OIC said at an emergency summit.
The U.N. Human Rights Council should launch "a full investigation into these criminal acts perpetrated by Israel," which include the killing of civilians and destruction of homes in Lebanon, the declaration added.
"We hold Israel responsible for the loss of lives and suffering ... and demand that Israel compensate (Lebanon) and its people for the losses sustained resulting from Israeli aggression," the leaders said.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the solution to the Middle East crisis was to destroy Israel. He also called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
"Although the main solution is for the elimination of the Zionist regime, at this stage an immediate ceasefire must be implemented," Ahmadinejad said, according to Iranian television.
Malaysia, which chairs the OIC, rallied presidents, prime ministers and policy-makers of 17 Muslim-majority nations for one-day talks to articulate their opposition to Israel's attacks in Lebanese and Palestinian territories.
"This war must stop, or it will radicalize the Muslim world, even those of us who are moderate today," said Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who leads the world's most populous Muslim country. "From there, it will be just one step away to that ultimate nightmare: a clash of civilizations."
Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora said in a video statement to the conference that more than 900 Lebanese had been killed and 3,000 injured in more than three weeks of Israel-Hezbollah fighting. He said 1 million Lebanese had been displaced.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called for a U.N.-backed force to stabilize the Israeli-Lebanon border. Muslims "must show preparedness to contribute forces for peacekeeping operations under the United Nations banner," Abdullah told the conference.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said hostilities must be halted "before the spiraling violence engulfs the entire region and kills the hope for a durable and just peace in the Middle East."
Lebanon's Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh said his country's "sole request is a comprehensive cease-fire."
"After that, there will be a large margin to tackle issues between Israel and Lebanon," Salloukh said.
Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas controlling southern Lebanon have been locked in fierce fighting for three weeks, resulting in hundreds of Lebanese civilian casualties.
Re: Muslims press U.N. for truce in Lebanon
Quote:
Originally Posted by Midnight Mike
Thu Aug 3, 6:13 AM ET
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the solution to the Middle East crisis was to destroy Israel. He also called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
"Although the main solution is for the elimination of the Zionist regime, at this stage an immediate ceasefire must be implemented," Ahmadinejad said, according to Iranian television.
he's never once said destroy israel, i love it how people misinterpret his words...and still continue to peddle that rubbish.
anyways have a watch of Mike Wallace's interview with him...could be very interesting.
