U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and British Prime Minister Tony Blair call for international stabilization force to quell violence in the Middle East.

By Brendan Smith
brendansmith@transworldnews.com

After a weekend that saw the violence and casualties escalate, Kofi Annan and Tony Blair suggested an international force enter the Middle East. Blair maintained "The only way we are going to get a cessation of hostilities is the deployment of an international force to stop the bombardment of Israel and get Israel to stop its attacks on Hezbollah." 

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan believes that such a force would only be one component of a comprehensive plan aimed at ending the cross-border attacks in Israel and Lebanon.

Israel has demanded the return of kidnapped soldiers, the removal of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the cessation of rocket attacks before they are willing to end their campaign.

The Israeli offense went into high gear following the abduction of two of their soldiers last Wednesday by Hezbollah forces. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called the abductions “an act of war” by Lebanon and later declared “nothing is safe.” Air strikes on Beirut’s international airport, missile attacks on Hezbollah buildings and homes and most recently Beirut’s port and southern suburbs.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has pleaded for a cease fire and stressed that Israel had opened “the gates of hell” on his country. According to the Israeli military Lebanon bears the responsibility for the attacks. Because Hezbollah, a group comprised of Shiite Muslims, holds seats in the Lebanese government Israel has felt Lebanon must bear the blame.

Siniora has repeatedly contended that Lebanon can not control Hezbollah or their actions.

The military arm of Hezbollah has been launching counter strikes across the border and into northern cities of Israel. Israel’s third largest city, Haifa, was struck on Sunday killing eight civilians. Olmert said the Haifa attacks would have "far-reaching consequences.”

Israel has remained adamant about creating a “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon and eradicating any Hezbollah forces near their border.

Reports are that 24 Israelis and 112 Lebanese have been killed since the conflict began. Most are believed to be civilians.

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