The Hindu : National : Manmohan wants diplomacy given a chance in Lebanon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 28, 2006

National

National

Manmohan wants diplomacy given a chance in Lebanon

Special Correspondent

The virtual destruction of a country cannot be countenanced

Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday called for an immediate halt to the violence in Lebanon to give diplomacy a chance.

Making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha, Dr. Singh said: "In our view, there should be an immediate ceasefire so that the destruction of Lebanon is ended and humanitarian assistance could be provided."

He also announced India's decision to contribute Rs. 10 crore towards humanitarian and relief efforts in Lebanon.

The Prime Minister's statement led to an early adjournment of the House for lunch as Speaker Somnath Chatterjee refused to entertain vociferous demands of Communist Party of India (Marxist) and CPI members for clarifications.

In his statement, Dr. Singh said: "The virtual destruction of a country which has been painfully rebuilt after two decades of civil war can hardly be countenanced by any civilised state.... All sides must immediately halt the violence and give diplomacy a chance. Diplomacy to succeed should have a long-term solution that involves and addresses the legitimate concerns of all parties in the region, leading to a comprehensive and negotiated solution."

Extended neighbourhood

Describing West Asia as "our extended neighbourhood," the Prime Minister said tensions in that region affect India's security and vital interests. Expressing serious concerns about the escalation of the conflict between Israel and the Hizbollah extending across the Lebanon-Israel border, he said these developments have inflamed an already tense and delicate situation in the region.

About India's response to the outbreak of hostilities, he said on July 12 India had condemned the abduction of two Israeli soldiers by the Hizbollah cadres and called for their immediate release. "Simultaneously, we had condemned in the strongest possible terms the excessive and disproportionate military retaliation by Israel."

India had also condemned the wholly unjustified arrest and continuing incarceration of ministers of the Palestinian National Authority and members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. "There can be no justification whatsoever for taking such action against the duly elected representatives of the Palestinian people," he said.

Evacuation efforts

He detailed the steps taken to evacuate Indian nationals from Lebanon. The Government's estimate is that the country is home to 12,000 Indian nationals, most of whom are semi-skilled or unskilled workers in farms and factories.

"Of these, a large number have not indicated their desire to leave Lebanon. Some of them appear to have decided to stay back, others may have been unable to reach Beirut because of the disruption in communications."

He assured the House that Indian naval vessels would remain in the region in case more evacuations are necessary.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National