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Implement UN Security Council resolution to pave the way for peace in Lebanon
Akahata editorial

One month after the outbreak of the fighting in Lebanon, the U.N. Security Council adopted a unanimous resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Shiite Muslim militia organization, and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces with Lebanon deploying its forces in southern Lebanon and the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) carrying out reinforcements.

The Lebanese government and the Israeli prime minister have expressed their intention to accept the resolution. The need now is for the Israeli government to accept the resolution.

Complete cease-fire and withdrawal must be ensured

In order to avoid producing more victims and allow Lebanon to rebuild itself from the severe destruction and restore its national sovereignty, the implementation of the resolution is crucial. The strict implementation of the resolution will help end the fighting and pave the way for achieving peace.

The fierce Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed more than 1,000 people, injured several thousand, and forced more than one million people (one-forth of the Lebanese population) to flee the country. Israeli air strikes destroyed most major roads and bridges in Lebanon. Victims are mostly civilians, including many children.

The task now is for the international community to provide urgent assistance in reconstructing the infrastructure and putting people's lives back.

Some Israeli civilians have also been killed in the fighting. It is clear that exchange of fire will only cause the deaths of innocent civilians instead of establishing security or peace.

The strict implementation of a ceasefire and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon is necessary for creating a framework for peace.

To this end, it is essential to recover and respect Lebanese sovereignty.

In Lebanon, with its mosaic of various religious beliefs, the only possible way to "disarm" Hezbollah in conjunction with the deployment of Lebanese forces, as called for by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, is to establish a consensus among the Lebanese people and political parties. No country has a right to intervene in Lebanon militarily.

In 1978, Israeli forces invaded Lebanon which was in a state of civil war. During the 20 years up to the Israeli withdrawal in 2000, many people were killed. It is obvious that as long as Israel continues its policy of aggression and occupation of another country, it cannot even ensure its own security.

The United Nations and the countries concerned are called upon to make intensive efforts to secure Lebanon's national sovereignty.

The UNIFIL is tasked to help Lebanon establish sovereignty in cooperation with Lebanese forces. By fulfilling this duty in conformity with the U.N. ceasefire resolution, the UNIFIL can help bring peace to Lebanon.

For peace in Palestine

Israel has invaded Lebanon in parallel with its fierce military attacks against the Palestine autonomous region in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in the past two months.

The Israeli military must stop using military force against Palestine, agree on a ceasefire with the Palestinian armed group, and withdraw from Gaza. Parties involved and the international community are called upon to make fair and reasonable efforts to bring about peace to Palestine and enable both sides to work on the release of captives and move on to peace.
- Akahata, August 13, 2006