12 August 2006
The Prime Minister has made a statement calling for an immediate end to hostilities in Lebanon following the unanimous adoption of a new UN Resolution by the security council.
Read the statement
It is tragic that so many innocent lives, Lebanese and Israeli have been lost over the past weeks. We must now take the steps necessary to ensure it is never repeated.
The passage of the UNSCR is immensely welcome. The hostilities on both sides should cease immediately now that the Resolution has finally been agreed by the whole of the international community. However, there will continue to be difficulties until it is clear that the combination of Lebanese forces and the UN multi-national force can be effectively deployed in returning control of the south of Lebanon to the Lebanese Government. This should start straight away.
It is essential that all parties now exercise the utmost restraint and all those with influence over them urge them to do so.
With this resolution now adopted, we must work to address the underlying root causes of this conflict. In part, this will be about the ability of the democratically elected Lebanese Government to be in sole charge of the Lebanon. However, we must never lose sight of the fact that the conflict in Lebanon arose out of the desire to exploit the continuing impasse in Palestine.
I have said before I believe this to be of fundamental importance not just to Israelis and Palestinians but to the whole of the region and the wider world. It is my intention to visit the region, in particular Israel and Palestine over the coming period and to consult those there and of course members of the Quartet on the best way forward.
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