Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Regarding Situation Between Israel and Lebanon
Unofficial Translation From Russian
The situation between Israel and Lebanon continues to be dangerously exacerbated. Having begun on July 12 from a border incident caused by the abduction of two Israeli servicemen and the firing into Israeli territory by militarized units of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, the conflict is rapidly growing into an extensive military confrontation capable of leading to grave consequences for the Middle East and international peace.
Violence in the region is spiraling ever tighter. The response of Israel - troops' incursion into the territory of Lebanon, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, the blockade of Lebanese territory from sea and air - turns into considerable casualties and suffering among the civilian population. Hezbollah has begun firing rockets at Israeli towns, including Haifa, from which innocent people also suffer. All this occurs in parallel with the Israeli army's operation in the Palestinian territories, where civilians are being killed each day.
The Russian MFA resolutely condemns the abduction of the servicemen, and the firing of rockets at Israeli territory. At the same time we regard the military actions launched by Israel as a disproportionate and inadequate use of force, endangering the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and peace and security across the region.
Under these conditions, it is necessary to take immediate steps to stop the military escalation. We urge Israel to cease incursions into Lebanon and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in the country and lift the blockade of its territories. By armed means, as the Middle East experience shows, the problem of security cannot be solved.
In its turn, the Hezbollah movement should give up anti-Israeli actions that endanger the interests of its own country as well, release the kidnapped Israeli servicemen, cease firing into Israeli territory and respect the UN Blue Line. We expect that the Lebanese government and other parties will render every possible assistance to solving these tasks.
Russia is taking energetic measures towards achieving a cease-fire and transferring the conflict onto a political settlement track. On July 13 Sergey Lavrov's contacts took place with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Signora, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuchehr Mottaki. Lavrov expressed support for the decision of Annan to send a special UN mission to the region, on which the task has been laid to enter into contact with the concerned parties and find a way leading to a de-escalation of the conflict.
In view of the sharp exacerbation of the situation in the Middle East it has been decided to send to the region S. Y. Yakovlev, Special Representative of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, for engagement with the concerned parties, the Quartet of international mediators partners and the UN mission.
July 14, 2006
