SAINT PETERSBURG/BEIRUT — With the Israeli military juggernaut claiming more civilian lives in both Palestine and Lebanon, the leaders of the G8 group of world powers on Sunday, July 16, pressed for a cessation of Israeli military offensives.
"The most urgent priority is to create conditions for a cessation of violence that will be sustainable," said the text agreed by the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the US after emergency talks on the crisis, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
They identified a list of conditions required for this to happen, including "an end to Israeli military operations and the early withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza" as well as a halt to attacks on Israel.
The G8 leaders urged the United Nations to consider deployment of an "international security/monitoring presence" in Lebanon.
The world powers also demanded the safe return of Israeli soldiers taken prisoner by Palestinian and Lebanese resistance groups as well as the release of Palestinian ministers and lawmakers abducted by Israeli occupation forces.
The statement did not specifically identify Iran and Syria as backers of the resistance groups, as the US had been pushing for.
"Those extremist elements and those that support them cannot be allowed to plunge the Middle East into chaos and provoke a wider conflict."
More than 85 Palestinians have been killed since Israeli launched its open-ended offensive in Gaza Strip on June 28, after an Israeli soldier was taken prisoner by Palestinian resistance groups.
At least 39 people were killed and 105 were hurt in Israel's offensive on Lebanon Sunday, with five days of Israeli bombardments and air strikes claiming a total of 141 civilians.
No Truce
Speaking before the G8 statement was agreed, US President George W. Bush renewed his support for Israel.
"As a sovereign nation, Israel has every right to defend itself against terrorist activity," he said.
"Our message to Israel is defend yourself, but be mindful of the consequences. And so we've urged restraint," added Bush.
His Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had rejected calls for a temporary truce, saying it would not address the underlying threat to Israel's security.
Russia and the European Union by contrast made clear they want a ceasefire and have called Israel's use of force "disproportionate".
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who arrived Sunday in Beirut for talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, said before leaving Brussels that his "first task" in the region would be to try to secure a ceasefire.
A five-member UN mission also arrived Sunday in Beirut to meet Siniora for the same purpose.
Earlier Sunday, Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said Beirut was awaiting the arrival of the UN mission to discuss any possible ceasefire to stop the Israel offensive.
Aridi said Israel was refusing to receive the UN team.
Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed Sunday an unrestrained campaign against Israel, accusing it of targeting civilians and infrastructure installations.
"Ever since the start of the crisis we have been targeting soldiers and military targets while Israel is striking residential areas and infrastructure installations,: he said in a televised speech.
"We will use all means," he vowed.
"As long as the enemy has no limits, we will have no limits."
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