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Olmert: No to International Force

[Jerusalem Post] Herb Keinon - Prime Minster Ehud Olmert said Tuesday that the idea of an international force in Lebanon was "a good headline," but that Israel's experience "shows that there is nothing behind it." "Today there is a multinational force in Lebanon, and we are seeing what they do....I think it is premature to talk about it." Olmert said he did not rule out negotiations, as long as they are not held with Hizballah and are based on the principles of an unconditional release of the abducted Israeli solders, and UN Security Council Resolution 1559 that calls for a dismantling of Hizballah and an extension of the Lebanese government's sovereignty throughout the country. He added that the start of these negotiations would not end the military operation. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told a visiting UN delegation Tuesday that preventing Syria's resupply of arms to Hizballah, the total disarmament of that group, and a complete overhaul of the UN forces in south Lebanon were among Israel's requirements for a cease-fire. She said it was no longer enough to move Hizballah out of southern Lebanon since, given the range of Hizballah's missiles, "they can now fire from Beirut."
2006-07-19 01:00:00
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