Lebanese parliament speaker urges breaking of Israeli blockade

Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | September 2, 2006 | SAM F. GHATTAS

[HAL9000]

Excerpt -

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Lebanon's prime minister called Israel's blockade of the country illegal on Saturday and the parliament speaker urged Arab nations to break the siege.

The calls, however, were not expected to make Israel relent in its refusal of European and U.N. requests to end its blockade of Lebanon's air and seaports. But the effort heightens tension that could further upset the already shaky cease-fire.

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Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the parliament plans to send a letter to Arab governments to "ask and insist that all Arab planes and ships break the blockade without seeking any permission from Israel."

~ snip ~

[glorgau]

urged Arab nations to break the siege.

He must strongly represent the view of the 40% of the country that is Christian.

[RobbyS]

By all means, try.

[farlander]

Yep! Good luck with that. He should let us all know how that goes for 'em.

[goldstategop]

They're welcome to try. Israel should lift the blockade when its soldiers are released. Lebanon cannot expect to have a normal life as long as it keeps Israeli citizens hostage. So yes - in my mind there ought to be a link.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[John Carey]

Kofi Annan's number one goal during his trip to the Middle East must have been to get Israel and Olmert to end the blockade of Lebanon. We've looked at over 500 news reports of Annan's trip and have found more than 100 with the word "demand" in them. ....Unusally something like "Annan demands Israel lift blockade."

Olmert told Annan he would not lift the blockade until the UN deplyed in accordance with its own resolution....

[John Carey]

http://johnib.wordpress.com/