Israel insists on disarmament of all illegal Lebanese militant groups

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While idea to send military contingent to Lebanon, aimed at rendering assistance to Lebanese army to control the country’s south areas, occupied by Hezbollah (first of all, territories neighboring to the Israeli-Lebanese border), is being discussed in European Union’s head-quarters in Brussels, the Israeli government insists on realization of UN Security Council’s (UNSC) resolution No. 1559, which envisages disarmament of all illegal militant groups, which are now active in Lebanon.

It is worth reminding that earlier the Israeli government declared it would not allow Hezbollah to stay near the Lebanese border, as well as that all kidnapped Israeli servicemen should be returned to their homes.

As for necessity to send peacekeeping contingent to Lebanon; Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora stated it during his meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

On July 17, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair supported the proposal. “Under current conditions, there are no reasons to hope that violence will reduce, if conditions are not created, to enable it,” Mr. Blair stated during his meeting with Kofi Annan at St. Petersburg G8 summit. The UN Secretary General stated at his meeting with the press that he had joined request of Blair and Saniora. Also, he called on confronting parties to cease fire. Then, Mr. Annan addressed to Israel, requesting to obey international laws and not to harm civilians and Lebanese civil infrastructure.