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France warns of dangers on Israel-Lebanon border
KUWAIT CITY - French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie warned Saturday of the risks of renewed conflict on the Lebanon-Israel border after the Jewish states summer war with Hezbollah. Speaking during a visit to Kuwait, she called the current situation there stable and fragile after a UN resolution ended 34 days of fighting between Israel and the Shia movement Hezbollah on August 15.
| 'Stable' and 'fragile'? Doesn't the one imply the absence of the other? I guess my French is rusty; that makes no sense. |
That is why it is imperative to avoid any risk of provocation that could lead to renewed conflict or other parties not to respect their obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Alliot-Marie told a news conference.
Asked about ongoing Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace, she said they were worrying because such overflights take a hostile form -- as was the case with a French naval vessel and a German one. There is always the risk that the crews on board these ships will exercise their legitimate right to defence and return fire, she said.
| There's also the risk that the Israeli planes will then exercise their legitimate right to defense and sink the ship. |
Airspace violations may also be an incitement for others not to respect their obligations under the United Nations resolution and to reply to provocation at a time when the interest of everyone in the region is in having peace, Alliot-Marie added.
| Aren't you guys the ones who are supposed to make sure that the 'others' respect their obligations? |
She urged the Lebanese people to show cohesion on the political level, as Lebanon is a formidable example... of the capacity of men and women of different origins, religions and cultures to live together.
| No, the United States is a formidable example of that; Lebanon is just a tragedy. |
Posted by: Steve White 2006-11-05 |
