Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., March 02, 2008 Adar1 25, 5768 | | Israel Time: 16:25 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in New York earlier this month. (Reuters) Last update - 08:38 01/03/2008 Ban: Hezbollah hindering talks on prisoner swap By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Hezbollah, Ban Ki-Moon  United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon says Hezbollah's intransigence has thus far stifled progress in ongoing efforts to negotiate the release of two Israel Defense Forces reservists abducted by the Shi'ite militia in July 2006, according to a report obtained by Haaretz on Friday. The document is an assessment of the world body's efforts in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which halted the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah in July 2006. IDF reservists Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser were abducted in a cross-border raid by Hezbollah gunmen, which in response prompted an IDF assault on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. "Hezbollah continues to refuse to provide any information on the release or fate of abducted soldiers, and places conditions and demands for the release that are far outside the scope of resolution 1701," Ban wrote in the report, a copy of which was obtained by Haaretz. Advertisement The secretary-general also cites Israeli intelligence reports of Hezbollah's rearmament drive since the end of the Second Lebanon War. The militia is said to have replenished its arsenal of rockets and missiles - including 10,000 long-range rockets and 20,000 short-range projectiles - which are now deployed on both sides of the Litani River. "The reports of Hezbollah rearming are a cause of great concern posing serious challenges to the sovereignty, stability, and independence of Lebanon and the implementation of resolution 1701," Ban wrote in the report. The UN chief also criticized Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah for his remarks claiming that the organization has in its possession body parts of Israeli soldiers. Such statements "have not contributed to the desired humanitarian solution," Ban wrote. Ban called on all sides "to redouble their efforts ... to urgently reach a solution to the issue of abducted Israeli soldiers, Lebanese prisoners, and comply with the humanitarian demands of resolution 1701." Related articles: Hezbollah chief: We're preparing for war with Israel in coming months Abducted IDF soldier's brother: We're afraid he'll be next Ron Arad Report: Barak warns Syria IDF planning Hezbollah op ANALYSIS: What Hezbollah could lose in avenging Mughniyah Bookmark to del.icio.us   Power to the people Egypt plans to provide all of Gaza's electricity, to wean dependency on Israel. Calculated escalation Hamas has been trying for some time to create a balance of deterrence with Israel.   1.   UN resolutions !!!!! 00:25  |  Lebanese Citizen 01/03/08   2.   Realistically-Are two soldiers still alive Thats why they hedging 00:37  |  Alan 01/03/08   3.   Ban 00:38  |  Shmuelshachor 01/03/08   4.   Ban Ki-Moon is a true heroe, he does what no other have done 01:09  |  Johnny 01/03/08   5.   The new American puppet 01:35  |  MO 01/03/08   6.   Hezbollah Trash: Marauding Hypocrits 01:54  |  Brad 01/03/08   7.   Did they survive the war? 03:04  |  Mark Lincoln 01/03/08   8.   Man pees into the wind 03:05  |  Mark Lincoln 01/03/08   9.   Just give the Lebanese Prisoners back! 04:13  |  Simon 01/03/08   10.   Simon 04:55  |  Brad 01/03/08   11.   #9 Simon 05:14  |  Franco 01/03/08   12.   I am dying of laughter 05:42  |  Tosefta 01/03/08   13.   Tosefta (#12) is for UN resolutions... 06:32  |  Jewboy 01/03/08   14.   #5 Mo 06:40  |  i.whitten 01/03/08   15.   #1 Lebanese - notice it starts at 1967 07:37  |  William 01/03/08   16.   MO#5 - upset that your side lost a lackey? 07:42  |  William 01/03/08   17.   hezbollzh 08:29  |  samer 01/03/08   18.   The Hizbullah. 08:58  |  Jean Van Daem 01/03/08   19.   Earth to Ban, this is Hezbo what exactly did you expect? 16:02  |  Dan 01/03/08   20.   South Korean is a stooge of the Americans! 16:04  |  lakshmi 01/03/08   21.   Hezbollah hindering talks on prisoner swap,because, 16:56  |  Pindar 01/03/08   22.   Naive Brad 17:42  |  Simon 01/03/08   23.   tosefta , the hesbullah murders and swine will make sure there is 17:54  |  terrornator 01/03/08   24.   THE MOST IDIOT SECRETARY GENERAL EVER 18:51  |  indrajaya 01/03/08   25.   LEAKAGE OF REPORT: CLASSICAL ZIONIST REACH AND RESOURCES 18:54  |  JACKAL 01/03/08   26.   Why Hezbollah is stonewalling 19:06  |  Yonatan 01/03/08   27.   Amazing, Ban tries to uphold UN resolutions, and Lakshmi thinks 21:12  |  Jacob Blues 01/03/08   28.   #20: right on 21:50  |  bernie 01/03/08   29.   Hezbollah`s intransigence How about Israels? 23:07  |  Sabah 01/03/08   30.   # 22 - Indrajaya 00:50  |  Michael 02/03/08   31.   Tosefta - Fig Leaf 1701 01:06  |  Mark Lincoln 02/03/08   32.   Sabah - Arabs started the trend in 1948 01:23  |  Jewboy 02/03/08   33.   26Sabah,you forgot 2 very important ones! 02:37  |  lakshmi 02/03/08   34.   INDRA...#22: Time To Educate Yourself & Go See The World! 04:20  |  Lavi 02/03/08   35.   LAKSHMI: You Forgot To Visit Israel & Learn Something First ... 04:49  |  Lavi 02/03/08

Today Online 10 Gazans killed, Israeli wounded in ongoing violence Responses: 128 EU joins UN in slamming use of 'disproportionate' force in Gaza Responses: 223 Zvi Bar'el: Get ready for the third intifada Responses: 18 Harel and Issacharoff: Hamas will now try to avenge Gaza deaths Responses: 60 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura Responses: 85 Rosner's Domain Battle of Ohio: Will Tzipi meet Hillary? No "statement of interest" against terror victims (WTR) McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 15:06 10 Gazans killed, Israeli hurt in ongoing violence 16:23 Barak to Justice Min.: Can we hit civilian areas used to fire rockets? 16:00 Hebron teen killed by IDF as violence spreads to W. Bank 15:47 EU joins UN in slamming use of 'disproportionate' force in Gaza 15:17 Hillary Clinton comes out swinging as Ohio primary nears 14:14 Expats' kids in IDF: 'If I don't help defend my home then who will?' 15:39 Tel Aviv Stock Exchange slumps amid violence in south 14:12 Saudi Arabia compares IDF Gaza operation to Nazi war crimes 13:59 Ahmadinejad in Iraq: First-ever visit opens new chapter in ties 10:35 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura 09:51 ANALYSIS: Hamas' next move will be to avenge Gaza deaths Previous Editions Select Day 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb

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