LEBANESE Prime Minister Fuad Siniora said there was no apparent political settlement to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, and has accused the United States of encouraging Israel's offensive on Lebanon. "The United States is allowing Israel to pursue its aggression," he said. Mr Siniora said the UN delegation in charge of negotiating a ceasefire did not return to Lebanon from Israel because the Jewish state gave a "negative response" to ideas put forward for a halt to hostilities during a visit in Beirut on Monday. "The Israelis are rejecting a ceasefire to continue to exert pressure in order to reach their objectives," he said, without elaborating.
| He got one right! |
Asked about the fate of the two captured soldiers, Mr Siniora said his government "did not ask Hezbollah" to hand them to Lebanese authorities.
| Because he knows better. |
| Nor did he need to. |
"But our priority is to preserve national unity and it is a matter which is not subject to any compromise," he said. "Hezbollah's position is different but we should reach a solution in concert with them," he said.
Mr Siniora said he was determined to extend state sovereignty over all Lebanese territories. However, he said that extending state sovereignty would not be carried out at the expense of national unity and that Hezbollah's disarmament - also a United Nations demand - would not be imposed with force.
| Which means it won't happen unless the Israelis squash them. |