ceasefire

(Source: afp, wires, 27.07.06)

IRAN, SYRIA AND HEZBOLLAH ALL WANT A CEASEFIRE NOW. Following Kofi Annan’s public proposal that Iran and Syria be involved in a solution to the Lebanon conflict, French President Chirac has issued a similar call (see slug). And, in the wake of the bankrupt Rome conference, now the main actors in the region have voiced their support for a ceasefire. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the first in the group, July 26, to call for a ceasefire, followed by talks. Former President and current head of the Expediency Council, Hashemi Rafsanjani, sent a letter to the Saudi leadership, also promoting a ceasefire.

The same day, Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal stated: “To resolve the crisis in the region, it is necessary to declare a ceasefire, proceed with a prisoner exchange, and for Israel to withdraw from all occupied Arab territory.” This means the Golan Heights, as well as the Shebaa Farms in Lebanon. Syria’s Foreign Minister stated explicitly that Damascus could help solve the crisis, saying, “We are ready to play a positive role. We ask that the United States put pressure on Israel to accept a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners.”

Last but not least, Hezbollah issued its call for a ceasefire. Mohammad Raad, the leader of the party’s parliamentarian bloc, said, “The position for the Lebanese government is to establish an immediate and complete ceasefire and to start indirect negotiations for a prisoner exchange. Anything other than that,” he added, “is not acceptable.” (mlm)