VARIOUS: European envoys meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders as diplomatic efforts intensify to resolve crisis in the Middle East

European envoys met Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Sunday (July 23) as diplomatic efforts aimed at ending fighting between Israeli forces and Hizbollah intensified. Ministers from France, Germany and Britain held separate talks with Israeli officials ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's arrival in the Middle East. Among questions up for discussion was a possible beefed up peacekeeping force for south Lebanon, an idea backed by Israel's defence minister as a way to keep Hizbollah from the border. European countries have been far more critical of Israel's offensive than its main ally, the United States, which has resisted growing calls for a ceasefire and made clear that it blames Iranian-backed Hizbollah for the crisis. Among the meetings, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy met Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem. "We will do everything in our power, by cooperation, so the Lebanese citizens who are not related to the Hizbollah will not be harmed and at same way I am convinced the the French government will operate together with us to remove the the threat on the lives of more than a million citizens in the state of Israel who are exposed to the fire of the Hizbollah rockets and," said Olmert after their meeting. Douste-Blazy also met Israeli Deputy Premier Shimon Peres in Jerusalem. Speaking after the meeting Peres said he hoped for a political solution to the hostilities. "The war should wind up by political solution, so if external diplomacy can contribute to it, they are welcome," Peres said. Britain also sent an envoy to the region, with British Foreign Office minister Kim Howells meeting Israeli and Palestinian officials. Howells, who has delivered Britain's strongest criticism of Israel's offensive, stressed his concern at the attacks. Howells met Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in her Jerusalem office. After their meeting Livni held a news confernce to brief journalists on latest diplomatic efforts. "We are going to discuss with the international community the best way to support the Lebanese government. We believe that the responsibility (for southern Lebanon) is of the Lebanese government but we can support some ideas of effective forces that will help the Lebanese government in full implementation of the statements and the (UN) resolution in order to dismantle Hizbollah, to take them out the southern part of Lebanon and prevent re-arming of Hizbollah in the future. This is a real opportunity for the international community as for the Lebanese government," she said. In the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met the European envoys to discuss diplomatic possibilities to end regional violence. Abbas met Douste-Blazy and Steinmeier in his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Few expect diplomacy to deliver swift results and an Israeli newspaper reported on Sunday that Israeli officials believe they have a green light from Washington to continue the onslaught on Hizbollah for at least another week. Israeli attacks aimed at Hizbollah have killed some 361 Lebanese, most of them civilians, since the guerrilla group captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid on July 12. Israeli troops have edged into southern Lebanon. A total of 37 Israelis have died, 17 of them civilians killed by Hizbollah rockets rained on the north of the country. Foreign ministers from the world's most powerful countries and Arab states are due to hold an emergency meeting in Rome on Wednesday (July 26) to discuss the crisis. No decision on international action is likely before that.

ITN Source | July 24, 2006

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