Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Here Comes the First Big Test

The French foreign minister on Wednesday called for Israel to lift its air, naval and land blockade of Lebanon, saying it was unnecessary with the U.N.-imposed cease-fire holding.

Douste-Blazy said France would commit troops to the United Nations peacekeeping force, but did not say how many soldiers.

"The blockade imposed on the airport and Lebanese ports should be lifted. We ask Israeli authorities to lift the land and sea siege on Lebanon. And we ask the Lebanese government to strengthen monitoring" of points of entry to insure Hezbollah weapons are banned, Douste-Blazy said.

"There is no longer a reason for Israel to continue the blockade," he added.

Israel said the blockade is still necessary until the peacekeeping force is in place to prevent the Islamic militant group from rearming.

"Israel cannot allow a situation in which Hezbollah could be strategically rearmed," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said. In the interim, Regev said, "Israel will do everything we can to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to the people of Lebanon."



Gee, I hope he doesn't start calling us that "shitty little country".


But, maybe, coming from a shitty big country, maybe it's a compliment?

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