The fierce battle between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters seems to be relentless at least for the moment despite a cease-fire call from the U.N. Chief Kofi Annan. The on going battle has already killed 330 Lebanese and at least 32 Israeli people so far, according to the reports.
On the other hand, paying no heed to the U.N. call for halting the battle, Israeli forces are now planning ground offensive to create a buffer zone. They have already announced to the people to vacate southern Lebanon.
However, it is really a tough time for Lebanon as the Israeli forces have called to create a buffer zone that had already witnessed Israeli presence for 18 long years, ending in the year 2000.
In the meanwhile, Kofi Annan, in a briefing to Security Council has emphasized the imperative need of safe corridors to be established in Lebanon. Kofi Annan has expressed that there should be a middle path to solve the Middle East crisis stressing the need for negotiation to end the conflict.
Following are the statements of Kofi Annan on the present situation in the middle east:
On Hezbollah Attacks
Hezbollah’s provocative attack on 12 July was the trigger of this crisis. It is clear that the Lebanese government had no advance knowledge of this attack. Whatever other agendas they may serve, Hezbollah’s actions, which it portrays as defending Palestinian and Lebanese interests, in fact do neither. On the contrary, they hold an entire nation hostage, set back prospects for negotiation of a comprehensive Middle East peace.
On Israel’s Military Action
Israel states that it has no quarrel with the government or people of Lebanon, and that it is taking extreme precautions to avoid harm to them. Yet a number of its actions have hurt and killed Lebanese civilians and military personnel and caused great damage to infrastructure. While Hezbollah’s actions are deplorable, and as I’ve said, Israel has a right to defend itself, the excessive use of force is to be condemned.
On the other hand, U.S. treating the matter very cautiously and as of now it is acting like a spectator in the present situation. May be U.S. is waiting for the right moment to react that would be in the interest of its own larger plans. However, its fleet has already moved in the gulf of Lebanon after 22 years indicating that the battle will travel a long way.
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