Annan Outlines Strategy to End Lebanon Crisis

[oberliner]

ANNAN OUTLINES STRATEGY TO END LEBANON CRISIS INVOLVING
IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES

Secretary-General Kofi Annan this morning told the participants at the International Conference on Lebanon, taking place in Rome, that we need a cessation of hostilities because we face a grave humanitarian crisis. He called on Hezbollah to stop its deliberate targeting of Israeli population centres and called on Israel to end its bombardments, blockades and ground operations.


The Secretary-General added that a key stipulation for such a halt in fighting would be that the parties must not take advantage of such a pause to conduct offensive operations, redeploy or resupply. An international force has a vital role to play in this scenario.


He also emphasized the need for a political framework so that a cessation of hostilities can be transformed into a longer-term process of enduring peace, and for nations to commit to a strong economic package for Lebanon.


Following the conclusion of the meeting, the Secretary-General and other participants spoke to the press, in which he noted that the participants at the conference endorsed the need for urgent action to stop the hostilities, so that we can move into the longer-term mode and be able to deploy troops.


The Secretary-General intends to follow up on the question of an international force in Lebanon, by having the Department of Peacekeeping Operations convene in New York next week a meeting of potential troop contributors for such a force, while we await the Security Council’s decision on this matter.


Asked about involvement by Syria and Iran, the Spokeswoman said that the Secretary-General, in an interview with CNN last week, spoke about the need to bring in those two countries as part of a longer-term solution. He has also reached out far and wide in the region, she said, including his discussions with the nations at the Rome meeting.


What do folks think of these suggestions?

[oberliner]

1. specific questions

Is an international force in Lebanon a good idea?

How large should it be and who should contribute?

How long should they stay and what would be their mandate?

[oberliner]

2. I forgot to include the link

http://www.un.org/News/ossg/hilites.htm

[BurtWorm]

3. kick