Lebanon & Israel - International Concern vs Business as Usual

LEBANON International Community Greatly Concerned after Nasrallah's Speech, Warns of 'Catastrophic' Outcomes by Naharnet Newsdesk 6 hours ago Lebanese officials received warnings from foreign countries over attempts to drag Lebanon into a new confrontation with Israel despite Prime Minister Tammam Salam's moderate stance from the latest developments along the border. According to An Nahar newspaper published on Saturday, U.S. and French officials contacted several ministers to stand on the cabinet's stance from Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's speech. Nasrallah declared on Friday that the party no longer recognizes the rules of engagement with Israel, saying that it has the right to respond to an Israeli attack in any way or time it deems fit. Ministerial sources said that Salam's moderate position from Hizbullah attack on Israeli troops in the occupied Shebaa Farms on Wednesday should have been met with the same tone by Nasrallah. The sources considered that Nasrallah's speech could further deteriorate the situation. Concerned sources reportedly received warnings from foreign countries on attempts to drag Lebanon into a catastrophic confrontation that will impact its security and economy. Salam had stressed that Lebanon is committed to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 after the Shebaa operation, urging the international community to rein in the hostile intentions of Israel, which is gambling with the security and stability of the region. The prime minister also stressed that “Lebanon stands united behind the legitimate armed forces that are tasked with defending its land, security, and people.” Two Israeli soldiers were killed and seven wounded on Wednesday in a Hizbullah attack on a military convoy in the occupied Shebaa Farms. [This followed Israeli attack on Hezbollah, that killed several - ie Quneitra, mentioned below.] The attack prompted Israel to shell areas in southern Lebanon in a significant escalation along the volatile border. Hizbullah said in its claim of responsibility that it targeted several vehicles transporting officers and soldiers with missiles to avenge the Israeli raid on Syria's Quneitra that killed six of its fighters and a top Iranian general. Meanwhile, al-Liwaa newspaper reported on Saturday Salam will head to Germany next week to take party in Munich Security Conference. The premier's visit to Germany compelled the cabinet to hold its session on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. instead of Thursday. http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/165552-international-community-greatly-concerned-after-nasrallah-s-speech-warns-of-catastrophic-outcomes ISRAEL Liberman calls for 'harsh and disproportionate' response to Hezbollah attack Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman called Wednesday for a "harsh and disproportionate response" to a multi-pronged Hezbollah attack that injured several IDF soldiers on Wednesday. Speaking during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing, Liberman said that China or the US would respond in such a disproportionate manner to an attack against its sovereign territory. http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Liberman-calls-for-harsh-and-disproportionate-response-to-Hezbollah-attack-389278 COMMENT Liberman says 'sovereign territory', while Lebanon says 'occupied Shebaa Farms'. Lebanon gets international pressure (including USA & France) regarding Hezbollah Secretary General's speech. Taking a guess, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman's call for a "harsh and DISPROPORTIONATE response" from Israel (who initiated the latest hostilities, as I understand), has gone unnoticed.