Israel's ambassador to Vatican says Lebanese conflict had no victor

Published: 2006-08-17

ROME (CNS) -- Israel's ambassador to the Vatican said the Lebanese conflict had no victor, but it served to focus world attention on the threat of global Islamic terrorism. At the same time, the aftermath of the fighting offers an opportunity for the West -- and the Catholic Church -- to support moderate Muslims by helping to rebuild Lebanon and resettle refugees, the ambassador, Oded Ben-Hur, said in an interview with Catholic News Service Aug. 16. The ambassador also encouraged church leaders to promote a new wave of pilgrimages to the Middle East, which he said would send a calming message and help restore normality in the region. A U.N.-brokered cease-fire was being implemented in mid-August after a monthlong Israeli offensive against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon. The fighting killed more than 1,200 people, most of them Lebanese civilians, and destroyed homes, roads, bridges and factories throughout the country. Ben-Hur lamented the loss of life and destruction on both sides and said the war had "no winners or losers."

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