Beckett calls for restraint in Middle East
Foreign secretary Margaret Beckett has expressed her “grave concern” about the escalating crisis between Israel and the Lebanon.
She was speaking after a meeting with the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, to discuss Israel’s efforts to secure the return of three soldiers being held hostage.
The Israeli navy has entered Lebanese ports and the army has blockaded Beirut airport. It says it holds the Lebanese government entirely responsible for the raid on Israel by Hizbullah militants earlier this week, in which eight Israeli soldiers were killed.
Two others were kidnapped, and in an effort to secure their return, Israeli aircraft launched a series of strikes on Lebanese targets early this morning, killing at least 35 civilians.
Militants from the armed wing of Hizbullah – which holds seats in the Lebanese parliament – responded with a series of attacks on Israeli border towns.
Israel has also been conducting an offensive in Gaza since another soldier was captured there by Hamas militants two weeks ago. Last night, jets attacked the Palestinian foreign ministry building in Gaza City, injuring at least ten people.
The United Nations will be sending a team out to the region to urge restraint, and Ms Beckett said she had spoken to both Israeli and Lebanese ministers to try to resolve the crisis.
“Mr Solana and I are gravely concerned about the escalation of the present crisis which now poses a serious threat for both Israel and Lebanon and indeed the wider security of the region,” Ms Beckett said in a statement this afternoon.
She said all parties should “do all they can” to prevent the situation getting worse, calling for the release of the abducted soldiers, an end to attacks on Israeli towns and for those countries with influence over Hizbullah – Iran and Syria – and Hamas to “play their part”.
“Israel has every right to respond to inexcusable acts of provocation. But while Israel is entitled to do what is required to protect its security, it should do so in a way which does not escalate the situation and which is proportionate and measured, conforms to international law, and avoids civilian deaths and suffering,” she added.
