Peretz tells UN: Lebanon cease-fire still not fully implemented
Peretz, Livni meet with UN's Ban Ki-moon, call for release of abducted IDF soldiers, end to arms smuggling.
By The Associated Press and Shlomo ShamirNEW YORK - Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Amir Peretz met Wednesday with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for talks that focused on the ongoing weapons smuggling into southern Lebanon and the fate of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldiers.
"[Security Council] Resolution 1701 is not complete so long as the abducted soldiers have not returned home and the arms smuggling from Syria to Lebanon continues," said Peretz.
Peretz stressed that the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon is doing a good job, but should take more significant steps and take the initiative against Hezbollah.
As far as Israel is concerned, Peretz said, prevention of weapons smuggling is key to keeping stability in southern Lebanon.
Livni also addressed the issue of the captured soldiers, and expressed concern regarding Hezbollah's deployment in southern Lebanon.
In response, Ban stressed the UN's commitment to fully implementing Resolution 1701, which brought an end to the second Lebanon war. "I am are of the Israeli concern regarding what is happening on the Syrian-Lebanese border," he said.
According to one of the meeting's participants, the secretary general was especially understanding of Israel's analysis of the Palestinian Authority unity government deal between Hamas and Fatah.
"Not always with Israel be happy with what it hears, but the direction [of the unity government] is right," said Ban.
The conversation also touched briefly on Ban's planned trip to the Middle East, scheduled for March 25, in which the secretary general will spend one day in Israel and the PA each.
The three-way meeting was held in the secretary general's office, and was also attended by Israel's envoy to the UN Dan Gillerman. The Israeli delegation described the meeting, which lasted roughly 50 minutes, as "friendly and positive."
Toward the end of the meeting, the aides left the room, leaving Ban, Livni, and Peretz to talk privately.
Israel urges harsher sanctions on IranLivni and Peretz also urged the UN Security Council to impose stricter sanctions against Iran, saying Iran's nuclear ambitions threaten the whole world.
The talks took place ahead of the first meeting of all 15 Security Council members to discuss a new Iran resolution that will toughen sanctions against Iran for refusing to suspend its uranium enrichment program, which can produce energy or nuclear weapons.
"We expect the Security Council to take another resolution and to expand and to strengthen the sanctions on Iran because the world cannot live with a nuclear Iran," Livni told reporters.
"This is clear - and it is clear that their goal is to pursue a nuclear weapon," she said.
"As time is of the essence because while we are talking, they are working ... to master the technology and to achieve this goal. So we have to stop it," Livni added.
Iran insists its enrichment program is peaceful and aimed solely at producing nuclear energy, but the U.S., European nations and the UN nuclear watchdog are concerned that Iran's goal is to produce nuclear weapons.
In December, the Security Council voted unanimously to impose limited sanctions against Iran for its refusal to freeze uranium enrichment. It ordered all countries to stop supplying Iran with materials and technology that could contribute to its nuclear and missile programs and to freeze assets of 10 key Iranian companies and 12 individuals related to those programs.
The modest package of new sanctions against Iran is likely to include an embargo on Iranian arms exports and an asset freeze on more individuals and companies associated with Tehran's nuclear and missile programs, council diplomats said. It is also likely to include a ban on government loans to Iran and restrictions - but no ban - on arms imports or on export credit guarantees for companies doing business in Iran, the diplomats said.
Livni said Iran's government, which speaks publicly of wiping Israel off the map, denies the Holocaust and is based on extreme Islamic ideology, is viewed as a threat not only by Israel but by Iran's neighbors, other Arab Muslim countries and the Gulf states.
"It is being understood by the free world," Livni said. "Now, the international community is working through the Security Council, but there's a need to take everybody on board. And when taking everybody on board the meaning is sometimes compromised on the sanctions."
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Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and Israeli Ambassador to UN Dan Gillerman, during a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Wednesday. (AP) |
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Read the ORDER of the GREAT DUTCH to Ki-moon(#2): "Please place harsher sanctions on israel. Their thievery &oppression of the Palestinian people is the root cause of this conflict. Let`s kick them out of the territories. Dutch" Word of DUTCH is a LAW for US!
RE:Again, Israel is able to survive only because of the handouts we give her. Before 1967 the US did not give much to Israel and it did fine. The US are helping Israel keep up with its ennemies oil money because: 1. It is a good and principled country 2. It serves US ineterests
RE:Being coward is laying down your arms and surrender. That is what the lebanese do in front of Hizbullah. RE:Are you saying that the jews who surrendered in Mosada and other wars are cowards? In Massada the jewish zealots did not surrender, they comitted mass suicide. Their doctrine was "Live free or die". Strangely it is the same doctrine I see here on some veteran's license plates.
Israel is still flying over Lebanon spying on them which is also against the agreement. As long as Israel continues occupation and makes threats against it's neighbours they are going to make sure they are armed against Israel. It's all pretty logical.
Pity he is talking out his backside at the same time. "Resolution 1701 is not complete so long as the abducted soldiers have not returned home and the arms smuggling from Syria to Lebanon continues," 1701 makes no demands about the release of the two soldiers. None at all. 1701 says that no arms can come in without the consent of the Lebanese government. If the Lebanese government is OK with arms smuggling then 1701 says that the UN is OK with it as well. "Peretz stressed that the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon is doing a good job, but should take more significant steps and take the initiative against Hezbollah." Nothing in 1701 gives UNIFIL the authority to "take the initiative against Hezbollah", unless Hezbollah are directly engaging in "hostile activities of any kind" (Para 12). Which is the very same paragraph that would justify UNIFIL shooting down an IAF F-16 violating Leb airspace, so Peretz might not want to push that point too much.
muslim nations are weak - the citizens who seek change are killed because the majority does not value change, they value the warped views of the koran and anti israel/jewish view points - there will not be peace until mosques are replaced with school and liberals who are clueless, foreign and abroud, remove the sheet covering the eys from the truth - Israel will continue to defend herself and kill the agressor for her own safety - anyone who disagrees needs to admit to themselves how ignorant they really are - and do themselves a favor and stay out of matters they dont understant
bunker while 3,874,050 people suffer because of he's interests.What kind of hero is that?!Get read off Hez. you will have better life.
Regardless of the lies and rhetoric coming from the Israeli government regarding Lebanon, one thing is clear, Israel still yearns to capture the waters of the Litani river, and twice it was twarted by the Hezbollah militia, which was formed in response to Israel's first attempt to steal Lebanon's water resources for itself. The smuggling of weapons into Israel by the US or into Lebanon by Syria means nothing, the only thing on the Israeli agenda is water.
Lebanon tried t omake peace with Israel and Gemayel was assisinated. Everytime Lebanon rises from the ashes, either Syria or Israel drops their bombs on the Lebanese. I am aware of the history of foreign interventions in Lebanon but that deos not mean Lebanon and the Lebanese are cowards. Being coward is laying down your arms and surrender. Are you saying that the jews who surrendered in Mosada and other wars are cowards? Shame on you. The Lebanese are fighting the worst of evils: Relegion. Israel prefersa weak Lebanon. A prosperous Lebanon is a threat to Israel. Again, Israel is able to survive only because of the handouts we give her. If that i snot enough, Israel contoiunes to steal water and move earth from Lebanon. THAT IS SCUM!!!!
You claim Israeli actions in the West Bank and Gaza since 1967 are the root cause of Jew hatred and attempted politicide in the Middle East? Why then does attempted politicide and arab terrorism directed against Jewish civilians far predate the 67 war? I never heard Palestinians complain when the W Bank and Gaza were being oppressed by Jordan and Egypt respectively. I never heard Syria Egypt or Jordan talk about Israeli occupation of Palestinian land while they continued to attack Israel nonstop until Camp David 1 (and some arab nations continue the attacks). Not to mention that that 1948 war attempted to "Push every Jew into the sea". The root cause of this conflict is in the Arab psyche and its refusal to accept that Israel will not be destroyed, and that only peace and negotiation with it can improve the lives of the Palestinians.
Your one liners are all unoriginal slogans and you seem to not fully understand what they mean or when they're intended to be used. Have you leaned the book by heart?
Dave, First, you should seek help!!!and the answer to your question, why Lebanon did not disarm Hizzy can be found in last summer war?. But since you are Canadian I am not sure you will be able to figure it out?. Good luck
the puppeteers in the USA!
"Not always will Israel be happy with what it hears . . ." said Ban. Interpretation: Lebanon does not have the strength to control its southern borders and get rid of Hezbollah; the UN will not do the job, because it's too dangerous for their forces; no one will do anything to get Israel's kidnapped soldiers back from either Hezbollah or Hamas or whoever has them (how can you sort the innocent from the guilty?) and no one will ever, ever do anything to get the Palestinians in Gaza and the WB to stop reigning terror. So, Israel, just get used to it!
We r not the ones seeking immigrants from all over the world...? ull know wat i mean. Iv been to canada, its a beautiful country. But it ll never be worth one bit of lebanon to me.. Dont know where u get ur hatred from...But bet uv never partied in beirut or lived here? wish ud visit one day. and the ppl u call 'iranian terrorists' are heros to me...you sound like a terrorist to me.
WHERE DO YOU GET THIS TWADDLE FROM . NATIONAL ENQUIRER ?? DO YOU EARN YOUR OWN LIVING ??
where are the kidnapped soldiers you moran you do know what an insult this is to g-d and jews
I love Israel. So why shouldn't I hate Lebanon? The nation that let PLO terrorists run free in Lebanon during the 60's 70's and 80's, doing NOTHING to stop terrorism as was their duty. The nation that was too cowardly to disarm hezzy after Israel withdrew in 2000. Why didn't the Leb. army take up positions in the south after Israel withdrew instead of leaving it to hezzy? That was the cause of the war last summer! Then you have your chosen leader Sinioria who says he rejects Israel peace proposals before they reach Beirut and that Leb. will be the last to make peace with Israel. Israel borders 4 Arab nations: Egypt and Jordan have made peace. Syria WANTS peace. Only Lebanon is a threat to Israel and continues to be a threat to Israel. Not because they will invade Israel but because of their cowardice they do nothing to stop terrorism, be it hezzy of today or PLO of yesterday. Now Iran is turning Lebanon into an Iranian puppet state. More trouble for Israel. Lebanon is a joke!
Awwwww, poor Lebanon, being picked on by everybody. As for Israel, Israel never would have invaded and occupied Lebanon to begin with had Lebanon stopped Palestinian terrorism originating from Lebanese territory in the 60's, 70's and 80's. If Lebanon had the COURAGE like Jordan did, they would have kicked the Palestinian terrorists out. But the Lebanese are cowards 30 years ago, just like they are today, too cowardly to confront Hizbollah. As for Syria, they always had their eye on Lebanon and maybe they have a point - Lebanon is nothing but a French invention and Lebanon rightfully belongs to Syria. And no, I am not Syrian. But if I was I'd be proud to be Syrian, but I sure wouldn't be proud if I were Lebanese - in fact, I'd deny my heritage if I was. Lebanon is a joke.
The jewish lobby which controls the US does not want to see any stable arab country. The US has the power to de-stabilize any country it wants. Go back and study your history and tell me how Israel governs itself on its own. If it weren;t for the US giving Israel handouts, there will be no Israel. You and the likes hide behing the US.
CANADA!!!!!! What a joke!!!! The problems that Lebanon have endured and continue to endure are not fully made in Lebanon. Lebanon always sought to be a peaceful country. However, with bullies like Israel, Syria, Iran and the Palestinians wanting a piece of it, no wonder why it can't see a day of rest. Yes the Lebanese need to share in the blame. But you must agree, that they've rebuilt their country only to see it attacked over and over and over again by bullies. The Lebanese do not want to occupy Israel, nor Syria, it's the other way aroun. As for Canada, give me a fregging brake, if it weren;t for the US, there will be no Canada. Why are you so jealous of Lebanon? Why d you hate it so much? Are you Syrian????? lol????
Next to Africa, the Arabs cannot responsibly govern themselves. They have been given chances all throughout history and all we get are cruel dictatorships, genocide, wars on their neighbors, and generally dispicable behavior. As usual, the role of Israel is to provide order in the territories they occupy for the good of the Arabs living there. Israel pulled out of Gaza, and I dare say the Gazans are worse off because of it. Many more Gazans would not have died had Israel stayed and all the greenhouses have been destroyed. There is no hope for these people.
Livni to Ban: While we are talking, Iran is working towards elimination of Israel Ban: I "understand". Result(Sing with me): Chamberlain here, Chamberlain there, Chamberlain, Chamberlain everywhere.
What does that it you about a nation that needs to have the UN instead of its own army patrol its borders to keep peace between Israel and Iran's proxy militia terrorists i.e. Hizbollah? If Lebanon had any COURAGE they'd set things straight, disarm and kick Hizbollah off the border. Instead they cower and stick their Lebanese heads in the ground while the UN does their dirty work and subdues Hizbollah, all on chickenshit Lebanon's behalf. But I put much of the blame on Israel. I always faulted Israel for not handling the Hizbollah issue correctly after they withdrew in 2000. Israel should have held LEBANON responsible for Hizbolllah troublemaking and provocations. Instead they engaged in tit-for-tat sparring with hezzy. Israel should have gave Lebanon an ultimatum: disarm hezzy or we bomb Beirut. Israel let Lebanon off the hook all these years and look what happened. But Israel knows what cowards the Lebanese are and must have thought what good would that do?
15 year civil war. Israeli occupation. Syrian occupation. South Lebanese Army. The few good leaders Lebanon produces get a bullet in the head(e.g.Bashir Gemayel,Rafiq Hariri, Pierre Gemayel).Iranian terrorist militia controlling the south. Demonstrations in the streets demanding overthrow of democractically elected gvt. Iranian-instigated and provoked war against Israel on Lebanese territory resulting in 1000 dead and untold suffering for the Lebanese people. Nation about to be overthrown by hizbollah and an "Islamic Repbulic" to be set up. And we all know the human rights records of "Islamic republics". Entire society in Lebanon rooted in sectarian hatred. Current P.M. has to beg for handouts because this Iranian war destroyed the economy. The only thing Lebanon has plenty of, it`s cluster bombs. LOL Lebanon is a joke.
Weapons are being smuggled into Lebanon from Syria. The obvious question is, why isn't useless Lebanon DOING something about it? Why aren't they stopping it? Smuggling occurs all the time, but it's a lot harder for border guards to find drugs than it is weapons. Are the Lebanese blind? Or are they too cowardly to stop the flow of arms to Hizbollah. Afraid of what Hizbollah will do you Siniora? Can Lebanon do ANYTHING right? Well, they can't stop arms smuggling, they can't disarm foreign (ie Iranian) terrorists on their territory, they can't keep neighbors from occupying their land, they can't even get along with each other!! Lebanon's hatred for other Lebanese, be they Sunnis, Shiite, Christians, Marronites, Druze and others is more intense than their hatred for Israel!! Lebanon is a joke.
NO SANCTIONS ARE IN PALCE AGAINST ISRAEL DORIS SO YOU ARE HISSING IN THE WIND KEEP TAKING THE MEDICATION HUMAN RIGHTS FFOR MUSLIM WOMEN DORIS !!!!!!!!
Ki-moon, Please place harsher sanctions on israel. Their thievery &oppression of the Palestinian people is the root cause of this conflict. Let's kick them out of the territories. Dutch