Special report:
Israel-Lebanon
conflicts [Gallery] [Videos]
Israel, Lebanon agree on
ceasefire
BEIRUT, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Visiting UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan here Monday urged Hezbollah to deliver captured Israeli
soldiers to the Lebanese government under the auspices of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
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U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan speaks during a
news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (R) in Beirut
August 28, 2006. Annan said on Monday he wanted the two Israeli soldiers
whose capture by Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas sparked a 34-day war with
Israel to be released under Red Cross auspices.(Xinhua Photo)
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"I
renewed my call to asked the two captured Israeli soldiers be freed and
transferred under the auspices of ICRC to the Lebanese government," Annan said
in a joint press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
On the other hand, Annan urged Israel to lift the
blockade on Lebanon as soon as possible. "I will also discuss this question with
Israel when I visit it later."
He also expressed his satisfaction over all the
actions taken by the Lebanese government so far, saying "Israeli troops has
withdrawn and Lebanese army has controlled the south Lebanon."
As for the deployment of the enforcement UN forces,
the world body's chief said that "I'm very pleased that the UN forces begin to
deploy as France has sent troops to south Lebanon."
He also underlined the importance of establishment of
a free zone in the border area, urging the parties concerned to respect the Blue
Line.
When answering a question from Xinhua, Annan asked
the international community not to blame the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon (UNIFIL) unfairly, saying that "we have lost pretty hundred people in
the past. Our mandate is not to fight or separate anyone but to ensure a durable
peace in this area."
Annan voiced his hope that a Lebanon with "long-last
peace, prosperity" would occur.
Lebanese Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers
on July 12sparked a 34-day conflict between the guerrilla group and Israel.
Annan, who arrived in Beirut shortly after Monday noon, met with Lebanese Prime
Minister Fouad Siniora, Defense Minister Elias Murr and Parliament Speaker Nabih
Berri.
Lebanon is the first leg of Annan's Mideast regional
tour, which would also take him to Israel, Palestinian territories, Syria or
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. Enditem
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stories:
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Visiting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan speaks during a joint press conference in Beirut, capital of Lebanon, Aug. 28, 2006. Annan urged Hezbollah to release the captured Israeli soldiers Sunday, meanwhile,
he urged Israel to lift the blockade on Lebanon as
soon as possible. (Xinhua Photo)
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BEIRUT, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Visiting UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday that the United Nations would exert
more efforts to help implement a Security Council resolution on Lebanon.
"The UN and international community will work with
the relevant parties to ensure that they fully implement the resolution," Annan
told a press conference following his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker
Nabih Berri.
Annan begins visit to
Lebanon
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The United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
speaks to media at Rafik Hariri International airport in Beirut Aug. 28,
2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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BEIRUT, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Secretary
General Kofi Annan arrived on Monday at Rafik Hariri International airport in
Beirut to begin his visit in Lebanon aimed largely at bolstering a two-week-old
UN-brokered ceasefire in the country.
The UN chief is scheduled to discuss with Lebanese leaders
on the deployment of around 15,000 U.N. troops in southern Lebanon as well as
measures to secure the border with Syria.
