Lebanese leaders call for unity

[IndianaGreen]

Lebanese leaders call for unity

Former president: 'The ship is sinking; we should stick together'

Thursday, July 20, 2006 Posted: 0113 GMT (0913 HKT)

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- Lebanese leaders Wednesday called for the multicultural country to remain united amid an eight-day Israeli bombardment, a call joined by the son of slain Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

"The ship is sinking and all of us, the Lebanese, should stick together and work together to stop the Israeli aggression," Amin Gemayel, a Maronite Christian who served as president from 1982 to 1988, told the Arabic-language TV station Al-Jazeera.

Israeli artillery, warplanes and ships have pounded Lebanon since July 12, when the Hezbollah guerillas kidnapped two soldiers in a cross-border raid. Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim militia that holds seats in the Lebanese parliament and Cabinet, has responded by firing volleys of rockets into northern Israel.

Michel Aoun, a one-time commander in Lebanon's 15-year civil war who now serves in parliament, said he did not believe the Israelis would be able to uproot Hezbollah.

"I don't think that Israel has the capability to destroy Hezbollah militarily because Hezbollah is not a group of armed men," Aoun said. "Hezbollah is a major part of the Lebanese social fabric."

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/19/lebanese.politics/index.html

[IndianaGreen]

1. Kicked because of AP story that contradicts this story

AP: Lebanese PM: Hezbollah Must Be Disarmed

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2400973

The Lebanese press is now saying that Prime Minister Fuad Saniora was misquoted.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Siniora pleads for world's help

Siniora pleads for world's help

By Leila Hatoum
Daily Star staff
Thursday, July 20, 2006

"As I speak, the trauma, the desperation, the grief and the daily massacres and destruction go on and on. The country has been torn to shreds.

"Is the value of human life in Lebanon less than that of the citizens of other countries? Can the international community stand by while such callous retribution by Israel is inflicted on us?

"Will you allow innocent civilians, churches, mosques, orphanages, medical supplies escorted by the Red Cross, people seeking shelter or fleeing their homes and villages to be the casualties of this ugly war?

"Is this what the international community calls self-defense?

"Is this the price we pay for aspiring to build our democratic institutions? Is this the message to send to the country of diversity, freedom and tolerance?

"Only last year, the Lebanese filled the streets with hope and with red, green and white banners shouting out: Lebanon deserves life!

"What kind of life is being offered to us now?

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74110