Blair: Lebanon is a catastrophe
Britain is “fully aware” of the negative impact its failure to call for a ceasefire in the Lebanon is having on its perception in the Arab world, Tony Blair admitted today.
But while the prime minister expressed his “deep regret” for the casualties in Lebanon and Israel, he insisted there was no point in simply expressing concern about the conflict – what was needed was a solution to its underlying problems.
Mr Blair insisted Britain was “bending every single bit of our diplomatic and political effort to make sure that happens”, and expected to agree some kind of plan that would allow a sustainable ceasefire within the next few days.
This would include plans for an international stabilisation force in the region, something he said the G8 has now agreed to and which Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert yesterday said he would back on a temporary basis.
Mr Blair was speaking after a meeting with Iraqi premier Nouri al-Maliki, who said the attacks by Israel on southern Lebanon as it seeks to destroy militant group Hizbullah “violates everything that the international community is based on”.
The prime minister said: “Of course we’re fully aware of what is happening to the reputation of the West and our relations with the Arab world if this continues.”
However, he added: “My message is very, very simple. What is happening in Lebanon is of course a catastrophe – who could watch the pictures of innocent civilians being killed without wanting this to stop now.
“But it has to stop on both sides and it’s not going to stop on both sides unless a plan is in place to make it stop. It is not just a question of me expressing an opinion on what is happening – that is the easiest thing to do.
“It’s making sure you have a plan of action that brings about the result you desire.”
Pressure is growing on the government to call for a formal ceasefire in the Middle East, as the attacks on southern Lebanon and reciprocal attacks by Hizbullah continues for the 13th day in a row.
So far about 370 Lebanese people have been killed by Israeli rocket fire, and 37 Israelis have also been reported dead in attacks on its northern towns and villages.
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice was in Beirut today, where she called for an “urgent ceasefire”, although she insisted it was first necessary to establish the conditions in which this would be “sustainable”.
Speaking to reporters in London, Mr Blair stressed: “Of course we all want to see this on both sides, and it’s important that this happens – it’s important because what is occurring at the present time in Lebanon is a catastrophe and is damaging that country and its fragile democracy.
“But we also have to deal with the reason why this conflict has come about.”
