British groups: Blair risks lives by not backing immediate cease-fire

Published: 2006-07-27

LONDON (CNS) -- A Catholic aid agency was among many groups that said British Prime Minister Tony Blair has risked civilian lives by failing to endorse an immediate cease-fire to fighting in the Middle East. The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development was one of 14 nongovernmental organizations to sign an open letter to Blair July 25. The agencies said they were "deeply alarmed that the situation in Lebanon, Gaza and Israel continues to rapidly deteriorate." The groups expressed concern that the British government has not used its influence to bring about a lasting end to the hostilities between Israel and the Lebanese-based Hezbollah militants and between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that heads the Palestinian government. "Though this may not have been the intention, by failing to back the United Nations and call for an immediate cease-fire, the U.K. government has reduced the impact of international calls for an immediate halt to the violence," they said. "As such, your current policy risks putting civilian lives at continued risk rather than helping to protect them."

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