Lebanese bishops ask U.N. to seek cease-fire to protect civilians

Published: 2006-07-21

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- Lebanon's Maronite Catholic bishops asked the U.N. Security Council to pass "an immediate resolution for a cease-fire, out of mercy for innocent civilians." In an eight-point statement following an emergency meeting July 21, the bishops also said the Israeli response to the July 12 kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah militants "does not deserve the dismembering of a whole country, killing hundreds of citizens and starving most of the inhabitants." The bishops said Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have "crippled the country, following the bombing of the runways of its airports, most of its bridges and roads, some electric power stations, most public utilities" and communications networks. "Neither reason nor logic can justify these events," the bishops said. They said "the tragic situation the Lebanese are living," should make everyone forget political differences. They added that it was "not the time for settling accounts; it is the time to deal with events with all possible solidarity, understanding and courage."

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