Posted on 07/16/2006 11:02:37 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative
The US president, in St Petersburg for the G8 summit, has insisted Israel is defending itself against terror and Hezbollah is the root of the crisis.
George W Bush added that the Israelis had to be mindful of the consequences of their actions, as fresh air strikes and rocket attacks were reported.
French President Jacques Chirac spoke out in defence of Lebanon.
The leaders of the world's eight top economic powers have begun working meetings focusing on energy supplies.
With global energy use likely to increase by 50% in the next 25 years, Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen to convince other G8 members his country can be relied on as a supplier.
But Russia's G8 agenda has already been overtaken by events in the Middle East, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg reports.
With eight of the world's most powerful leaders meeting for talks, he says, they are under pressure to find a way to end the hostilities.
Divisions
"As a sovereign nation, Israel has every right to defend itself against terrorist activity," Mr Bush said after bilateral talks with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on Sunday.
"Our message to Israel is defend yourself but be mindful of the consequences."
The root cause of the conflict, he added, was Hezbollah and its ties with Syria and Iran.
Hezbollah, he said, "was the start of this".
Speaking before the first summit working meeting of the day, France's president said that forces "who jeopardise the security, stability and sovereignty of Lebanon must be stopped".
He urged "the protection of civilians, moderation and a durable ceasefire" in both Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
Our correspondent notes that working out a common G8 position on the crisis will not be easy with a clear division emerging between the US on one hand, and France and Russia on the other.
President Putin has suggested Israel has ulterior motives in Lebanon rather than simply the return of abducted soldiers.
"We condemn any terrorist act including hostage-taking but we have the impression that besides the return of its abducted soldiers, Israel is pursuing other, wider goals," he said on Saturday.
Dhimmi Chirac responding and catering to his internal activist Muslim minority.
Zec 12:6 In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.
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spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
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"The West has given more significance to the myth of the genocide of the Jews, even more significant than God, religion, and the prophets...."Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
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"Then let's wait and see what the Arabs do after they take Gaza. There's nothing like Arab reality to break up a Jewish fantasy."FReeper Noachian
A student told his professor he was going to "Palestine" to "fight for freedom, peace and justice,"Orwellian leftist code words that mean "murder Jews."
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Say hello to saddam and Zarqawi in hell when you arrive.
"We condemn any terrorist act including hostage-taking but we have the impression that besides the return of its abducted soldiers, Israel is pursuing other, wider goals," he said on Saturday.
Yeah, like Peace you scumbag.
100% behind Israel. I have nothing but admiration, respect and prayers behind them.
Well said
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