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Islamic Friendship Association wants Australia to 'intervene' in Mid-East conflict
AUSTRALIA must intervene to stop Israel's war against Lebanon and the Palestinians, a Middle Eastern community leader said.Israeli warplanes yesterday struck the runways of Beirut international airport in the city's Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs, forcing its closure, after Hezbollah guerrillas kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed eight. Islamic Friendship Association of Australia Keysar Trad said Australia had a moral obligation to intervene to stop the war against Lebanon and the Palestinian people. "Australian Muslims, along with the wider community, are greatly disturbed at this escalation and call upon the Australian government to intervene to stop any further acts of war," Mr Trad said in a statement. "With half a million Lebanese Australians, Australia has a moral obligation to intervene to stop this war." Several Australians were last night believed to be stranded at Beirut airport as Israeli military forces pounded the Lebanese capital and blockaded the country. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) was trying to contact a group that ABC radio reported had been trapped at the airport when it came under attack. The Australian embassy in Beirut was also closed as the security situation in the Middle East took a turn for the worse. DFAT has upgraded its travel warnings, advising Australians against travelling to Lebanon and urging those already there to seek shelter in secure locations and to monitor media reports. Posted by: Oztralian 2006-07-13 |
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