Lebanon PM Fouad Siniora
Photo: AP
Siniora: Lebanon waiting for historic step from Israel
Lebanese PM tells Israeli reporter that IDF's continuing aggressive operation in southern Lebanon proves Israel had pre-planned response ready for taking action against Lebanon; adds that throughout years Israel has always responded with attacks
ROME – Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora showed no signs of embarrassment Wednesday when I turned to him in a press conference and presented myself as Israeli journalist. "I hope dialogue between us at the current time, when there is no peace agreement between our countries, won't embarrass you," I said
Rome Summit
Nir Magal and AP
Conference aimed at finding solutions for Israel-Lebanon conflict fails to reach operative decisions. Participants reiterate necessity of quick ceasefire and deployment of international peacekeeping force to southern Lebanese border
"If you were in Prime Minister Olmert's place, how would you respond to the kidnapping of the two IDF soldiers by terrorists who infiltrated Israeli territory?" I asked him.
Siniora, in his time talking with the Israeli press in front of the cameras, said it was a good question. He said that he believes that everyone has a right to defend his borders, but that the continuing aggressive response on Israel's part proves that Israel had a pre-planned response ready for taking action against Lebanon.
If he were in Israel's shoes he would want to solve these problems, but emphasized that throughout the years, Israel has always responded with attacks, yet hasn't succeeded in bringing security and quiet to the region.
He purports that the only way Olmert can guarantee security for Israelis is through peace with her neighbors. According to Siniora, this peace was drafted in the Arab Peace Initiative that was presented four years ago in Beirut. He notes that Israel never responded to the initiative.
Siniora expressed his hopes that Olmert will dedicate time and serious thought to what is in his eyes, a historic Arab initiative, saying that the Arabs have fulfilled their part and even outlined their demands of Israel: To evacuate occupied territories and to return Shebaa Farms to Lebanon, a move that would secure the Lebanese government's full sovereignty ensuring that no body could act from with her borders with claims of recovering occupied territory.
From their perspective, Siniora emphasized, they are definitely waiting for a historic step from Israel.
