Rice to push for 'lasting settlement'
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said today she would push for a ceasefire and a “lasting settlement” in the conflict between Lebanon and Israel through a United Nations Security Council resolution this week.
“I am convinced that only by achieving both will the Lebanese people be able to control their country and their future, and the people of Israel finally be able to live free of attack from terrorist groups in Lebanon,” Rice said in Jerusalem before departing for Washington.
For eight days, Rice has been in meetings around the globe, trying to find a consensus to end the 20 days of fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah. She said the UN resolution she would seek would include a ceasefire, political components to address issues that have repeatedly sparked fighting between the two countries and the authorisation of an international force to help secure Lebanon.
Rice did not provide significant details on how the UN resolution would address the difficult political problems between the two states. Lebanon and Israel have disputed their border and other issues for decades.
Rice also welcomed Israel’s decision to conditionally suspend air attacks on southern Lebanon for 48 hours and hoped the suspension would be renewed.
“These are important, yet temporary measures,” she said. “An urgent and more permanent end to this violence is something that we all want, and that we all must work together to achieve.”
