[New York Times] Warren Hoge - The UN Security Council issued a statement Sunday expressing "extreme shock and distress" at the killing of Lebanese civilians in the bombing of Qana after the U.S. succeeded in blocking a call from Secretary-General Kofi Annan for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The Council statement cited the "urgency of securing a lasting, permanent, and sustainable cease-fire." The U.S. says any halt must be one that removes the threat to Israel from Hizballah. Dan Gillerman, the Israeli ambassador, said Hizballah had used Lebanese civilians as human shields and had deliberately exposed them to danger in the hopes of stirring expressions of outrage against Israel. Lebanese civilians "are the victims of Hizballah, victims of terror," Gillerman said.
2006-07-31 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive