U.S. Insists Cease-Fire Must Await Plan to Disarm Hezbollah
NYT
The United States firmly reiterated its position on Tuesday that there can be no cease-fire in the Middle East until there is a solid plan in place to disarm Hezbollah.
"The United States is working for a cease-fire, for an end to the hostilities that will not allow a return to the status quo ante," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday night on "The O'Reilly Factor," on Fox News Channel. "If we don't work for a cease-fire that will be lasting and enduring, then we're going to be right back here in several months talking about another cease-fire." Read more
db: It's abundantly clear that Lebanon will not agree to any plans for the disarming of the only credible fighting force they have - Hezbollah - without a ceasefire - and only then as part of a broader settlement. Given the actions of Israel they would have to be crazy - not only because 'disarming Hezbollah' is itself an impossibility in the current circumstances, which is something Israel understands - but to attempt to do so via an 'international force' without a settlement which includes more than just Israeli/US/UK demands might well mean civil war. Hezbollah is supported by the overwhelming majority of all Lebanese - including Christians.
The United States firmly reiterated its position on Tuesday that there can be no cease-fire in the Middle East until there is a solid plan in place to disarm Hezbollah.
"The United States is working for a cease-fire, for an end to the hostilities that will not allow a return to the status quo ante," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday night on "The O'Reilly Factor," on Fox News Channel. "If we don't work for a cease-fire that will be lasting and enduring, then we're going to be right back here in several months talking about another cease-fire." Read more
db: It's abundantly clear that Lebanon will not agree to any plans for the disarming of the only credible fighting force they have - Hezbollah - without a ceasefire - and only then as part of a broader settlement. Given the actions of Israel they would have to be crazy - not only because 'disarming Hezbollah' is itself an impossibility in the current circumstances, which is something Israel understands - but to attempt to do so via an 'international force' without a settlement which includes more than just Israeli/US/UK demands might well mean civil war. Hezbollah is supported by the overwhelming majority of all Lebanese - including Christians.
posted by exoplanet at 11:50 AM
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