Posted on 07/14/2006 7:07:26 PM PDT by blam
Bush refuses to curb Israeli assault
By Alec Russell in St Petersburg and Tim Butcher in Beirut
(Filed: 15/07/2006)
(go to the site to use the links below)
Audio: Con Coughlin on Hizbollah's motives
Audio: Tim Butcher reports from Beirut
In pictures: Beirut under siege
Your view: are Israel's tactics justified?
President George W Bush refused last night to rein in Israel as its close ally brought international condemnation by stepping up its offensive in Lebanon.
For the second day running Israeli aircraft bombed southern Beirut, hitting the headquarters of Hizbollah, the Iranian-backed militant Islamic group, and the residence of its leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah. The sheikh later telephoned the movement's television station, Al-Manar, to show that he had survived and to proclaim that he was ready for "open warfare" with Israel.
Smoke rises from Beirut international airport
More than 55 civilians have been killed in raids on Lebanon since Hizbollah guerrillas crossed the border and captured two Israeli soldiers. Four Israelis have died in Hizbollah rocket attacks.
Sheikh Nasrallah raised the stakes, threatening to attack Israel beyond the city of Haifa, 20 miles from the border, which was hit for the first time on Thursday. Also for the first time, Hizbollah rockets hit an Israeli naval vessel off Beirut. Four crew were reported missing although the military had said earlier that there was only light damage.
"Surprises will start from now," said the sheikh, who is admired by Arabs for Hizbollah's success in forcing Israel out of Lebanon in 2000.
As the number of deaths mounted, President Jacques Chirac of France accused the Israelis of trying to "destroy" Lebanon.
"I find honestly, as all Europeans do, that the current reactions are totally disproportionate," he said in an interview to mark France's July 14 national day. "We are in a very dangerous situation. We must be very, very careful." Mr Bush distanced himself from Mr Chirac's comments and a Russian call for a ceasefire.
Israeli missiles hit the Zahrani bridge in southern Lebanon
The government in Beirut said that in a telephone call to its prime minister, Fuad Siniora, he said he would urge Israel to minimise casualties.
But the White House made clear that he would not call on Israel to end its offensive. Tony Snow, the White House spokesman, said the president "believes the Israelis have the right to protect themselves and that in doing that they should limit as much as possible so-called collateral damage, not only to facilities but also to human lives".
He said that Mr Bush had rejected Mr Siniora's appeal for him to tell the Israelis to rein in their assault. "The president is not going to make military decisions for Israel."
The crisis threatens to provoke a major international rift at the G8 summit which opens in St Petersburg today.
Britain was putting together plans to evacuate 15,000 British passport holders from Beirut by sea, all but 1,200 of them with dual nationality.
I thought it was Israel that controlled us.
I want Assad and his entire clan wiped from the face of the earth.
I want the guy who cooked breakfast for Assad dead.
I want the guy who washes Assads' cars dead.
I want Assads head on a pike outside Camp LeJeune NC and his corpse used by Marine recruits for bayonet training.
Then I want what ever is left of his corpse fed to hogs and the hog sh** fed to other hogs. Then I want those hogs slaughtered and their carcasses dropped from B-52s into downtown Damascus just before evening 'prayers'.
I want Hizbollah exterminated down to the last man or woman and I want their corpses buried in a mass grave under tons of chitterlings with their feet towards that stinking black rock they worship.
I want the graves marked in defiance of 'islamic law' with the Marine Corps emblem with a warning in Arabic to anyone else who would dare attack Marines.
I want the great great grandchildren of these people to piss in their pants at the mere mention of America or Israel.
L
Hezbollah picked this fight. Its between them and Israel.
So why don't they just, you know, give the soldiers back? The whole thing ends. Problem solved. You think Chirac et al might suggest it? OK, so that's the stupid question of the month.
I agree. Give them free shipping as well and no charge for detonation on arrival.
President Jacques Chirac of France accused the Israelis of trying to "destroy" Lebanon.
The man is pure sleeze. A corrupt vile de gaulist dinosaur who should of been removed from office years ago.
Hey now youre talking! that sounds real good to me. dont forget the dog walker
I think I love you!!! LOL!!!
what on earth are you talking about? What is fair and reasoned ? So when Mexico bombs us what do you think our response will be? I hope I misunderstood you.
Where's the story about the Iranian nutjob and Syria's Assad refusing to rein in their ally, one or both of whom likely incited Hezbollah to rocket Israeli cities and raid into Israel? I won't be holding my breath waiting for one, you can count on that.
Mexico has already bombed us and continues to do so daily, with people explosions that are likely to do more damage than to our culture and way of life than any conventional arsenal could.
And what has our response been?
Don't you know that we are under attack? You think that's thunder you're hearing in the distance?
I hope I misunderstood you.
Based on your response there is probably a lot of misunderstanding in your life. And drama. Look at the bright side. Someday you will no longer exist and all the pain will be forgotten. There is no menopause in heaven.
...hope you got a good nite's sleep and perhaps you should drop a percocet in your coffee this morning. ;^)
It's along the same lines as the mentality that thinks Booosh is a boob and an evil genius all at the same time.
Not only should President Bush not be calling for "restraint," but he should be preparing to support Israel's military actions, especially if they are needed against Syria and Iran. Now is the time.
Saying that I hope I misunderstood you was to give you the benefit of the doubt. If I didn't misunderstand you then you're an anti-semite Herr Doobie.
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