Lebanon: Britain opposed calls for ceasefire as did US

Earlier we published this from Reuters to the effect that the US blocked a Security Council statement calling for a desperately needed ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. We questioned how it could possibly be in the US national interest to do so - and referred to the recent paper concerning the US Israel Lobby as offering part of the explanation. Now it appears that the UK - always the loyal US poodle - did the same. Shame on us. It seems that Israel has secured from the US/UK further time to indulge in its crimes against the civilian population - consequently both governments will bear some responsibility for the further killings that are without doubt on the way. Let's hope that no stranded British or American nationals are amongst the dead - this decision is certainly not in their interest.

Lebanon has accused the United States of blocking a Security Council statement calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, and said the impotence of the UN's most powerful body sent wrong signals to small countries.

Nouhad Mahmoud, the Lebanese special envoy, said: "It's unacceptable because people are still under shelling, bombardment and destruction is going on ... and people are dying."

Qatar, the only Arab nation on the council, received widespread support during closed council consultations for a press statement calling for an immediate ceasefire, restraint in the use of force, and the protection of civilians caught in the conflict, council diplomats said.

But Cesar Mayoral, Argentina's UN ambassador, said the United States objected to any statement and Britain opposed calling for a ceasefire.

The US and Britain want to wait for the outcome of this weekend's Group of Eight meeting in Russia, an Arab League foreign ministers meeting, and a mission sent to the Middle East by Kofi Annan, Mayoral and other diplomats said. Read more