Lebanon demands compensation from Israel

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060719/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel;_ylt=Ajfz01e6kETztBOgPOyB2pys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

Lebanon demands compensation from Israel

1 hour, 51 minutes ago

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Israeli troops clashed with Hezbollah guerrillas on the Lebanese side of the border Wednesday, while Lebanon's prime minister reported a death toll of 300 and demanded compensation from
Israel for the "unimaginable losses" to the nation's infrastructure.

As fighting entered its second week, Israeli warplanes flattened houses in south Lebanon and Hezbollah rockets made their first hit near Christian holy sites in Israel: Two rockets hit Nazareth — the biblical hometown of Jesus — killing two brothers ages 3 and 9 as they played outside, bringing the Israeli death toll to 29. At least 18 others were wounded in the attack.

Washington said it won't push Israel toward a fast cease-fire in the fighting, started July 12 after Hezbollah guerrillas captured two Israeli soldiers. The latest fighting dealt a blow to efforts to send international peacekeepers to bolster the 2,000-member U.N. force in south Lebanon.

As the conflict intensified, more than 1,000 Americans were evacuated Wednesday from Beirut's port aboard a luxury cruise liner, the first large pullout by the United States after complaints of delays. European nations three days ago sent ships to evacuate thousands. Two U.S. Chinook helicopters also took 200 Americans to Cyprus.

[rodeodance]

1. and the Lebanon PM: makes a swipe at the US.

......Addressing foreign ambassadors, including U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman, Prime Minister Fuad Saniora gave the first official death toll in the conflict, saying also that 1,000 have been wounded and a half-million displaced.

He made an urgent appeal for an end to the fighting, saying Lebanon "has been torn to shreds."

In a swipe particularly at the United States, Saniora asked: "Is this what the international community calls self-defense? Is this the price we pay for aspiring to build our democratic institutions?"

The International Red Cross, along with the U.N. children's and health agencies, expressed serious concern about civilian casualties and health risks from the violence.

[The Stranger]

8. If only imbecile Bush would simply let the ceasefire happen.

But he is too busy boozing, being coked up, groping other world leaders.

[Barkley]

13. But, but... I thought Bush said 'democracies don't fight one another'?!?!

[lovuian]

2. They took one of the wealthiest MidEast nations and demolished

it... I doubt Israel cares what Lebanon wants...

[Joanne98]

3. That's code for, Lebanon demands US pay for Israel's MESS!

[anakie]

15. and Halliburton will get the rebuilding contracts

uncontested.

[cantstandbush]

4. And well they should. And for the next 40 years. nt

[SoCalDem]

12. Can you say.. Halliburton/Bechtel/ KB&R??

They will be needing sopme contracts, and gee whiz..whaddayah know? another country waiting for their expertise.. and irt comes "pre-flattened" too...:puke:

[LiberalPartisan]

5. Lebanon should first stop giving safe harbor to terrorists n/t

[Demit]

6. Oh, and until then, it's OK for their citizens to die?

That's a disgusting way to think.

[anakie]

7. yes, they should

but it is still no excuse to go in as hard as they have. Even in the US invasion/occupation of Iraq they left the bridges standing. Collective punishment is not on and is against international conventions. Why blow up the airport - how big is hezbollah's airforce?

But in todays western thinking - especially this current US regime - if an Arab civilian is killed he/she must have been a terrorist.

peace

[The Stranger]

9. Israel is not bombing Hezbollah. Israel is bombing innocent Lebanese.

Nice propaganda dump here on DU, though.

[BillZBubb]

14. "LiberalPartisan" my ass.

You talk like a wingnut.

The Lebanese civilians dying aren't giving safe harbor to anyone, they were trying to lead peaceful lives. Instead they get stomped on by Israel's thugs. Get a clue.

[LiberalPartisan]

17. They ceded their sovereignty to terrorists

They're now paying the price. Bummer for them.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

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[daleo]

10. How about each side pays reparations to the other

Israel can pay for the damage to Lebanon from the Israeli airstrikes, and Lebanon can pay for the damage to Israel from the Hezbollah rocket attacks. That would be a fair trade.

[w4rma]

11. 1,200 evacuated. 23,800 Americans left to go. No mention of that number

in the article though.