Germany welcomes Israeli suspension of airstrikes

31 July 2006

BERLIN – The German government on Monday welcomed Israel’s 48-hour suspension of its airstrikes on Lebanon as a “positive sign” that should be used to reach a permanent ceasefire.

Government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said Germany “is convinced that the conflict can only be resolved within the framework of a comprehensive political solution.”

This included an end to attacks on Israel, he said.

The spokesman said the United Nations Security Council should create the conditions for a ceasefire by mapping out a framework for a political agreement between the rival parties.

In line with this, the international community was continuing its intensive efforts to bring together a multilateral security force with the goal of safeguarding the peace process, Wilhelm said.

The German official’s remarks come amid an international outcry over the Israeli shelling of a house in the Lebanese village of Qana that killed at least 57 civilians, most of them women and children.

Israel expressed “deep regret” for the incident. The Israeli army said it was “unaware” civilians were in the building, which was targeted because it had been “used by Hezbollah” guerrillas. 

In New York, the UN Security Council late Sunday passed a unanimous resolution expressing “extreme shock and distress” at the shelling of the building.

DPA

Subject: German news, Lebanon, Israel, Qana