"Two countries, the US and Britain, defiantly refused to back the international clamour for an immediate ceasfire between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas. Their ambivalence about civilian deaths in Lebanon has given Israel a powerful signal that it can continue its attacks with impunity."
Haaretz - Israel News:
Stop now, immediately
"The president of the United States can push us to continue the war all he wants, the prime minister of Britain can cheer us in parliament, but in Israel and Lebanon, the blood is being spilled, the horror is intensifying, the price is rising and it is all for naught."
WaPo: WASHINGTON -- White House officials said President Bush remains opposed to an immediate cease-fire to stop violence in the Middle East, despite personal pleas from ally Saudi Arabia that he help stop the bloodshed.
Saudi King Abdullah beseeched Bush to intervene in Israel's military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, where the death toll is approaching 400 after less than two weeks of bombing. Abdullah's request was hand-delivered to Bush by Saudi officials who requested a meeting Sunday at the White House.
"I have brought a letter from the Saudi king to stop the bleeding in Lebanon... Saud said.
"Our position on an immediate cease-fire is well known and has not changed," said White House national security spokesman Frederick Jones.
"The collective punishment of the Lebanese people must stop...What is urgently needed is the immediate cessation of hostilities." --Kofi Annan, speaking for the United Nations
See a larger graphic at the Belfast Telegraph
United Nations Ceasefire Bush News Politics Lebanon Israel Iran War Middle East
