Beirut (AsiaNews) An immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors; condemnation of the Israeli invasion but also of the policy of kidnappings; backing for the government and an invitation to all parties to search for unity of intent; unity with the Pope for the day of prayer for peace in Lebanon, slated for tomorrow. These were the points of a statement issued by the Maronite bishops at the end of an urgent meeting called by Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, who has returned to Beirut. Meanwhile, yesterday, it was decided to hold an international, high level meeting next week in Rome to discuss ways of putting an end to hostilities in Lebanon and Israel on the basis of the G8 document.
The Maronite bishops of South Lebanon (Mgr Nabil Hajje of Tyre and Mgr Elias Nassar of Saida) could not take part in the meeting. The conclusions of the meeting were summed up in eight points: 1) Condemnation of Israel's reaction to the kidnapping of two soldiers, indicating that response to the capture should not be a reaction against Lebanon, although the bishops did not subscribe one bit to the theory of kidnapping people; 2) An appeal to people of goodwill to help defenceless citizens who have been forced to abandon their homes and land of origin; 3) An appeal to the United Nations to double its efforts to arrive at a ceasefire, in such a way that will lead to opening the doors to mediation that could spare more innocent victims; 4) Appreciation for the "intelligent" effort of the Lebanese government and its president through diplomatic means and backing for the government of Fouad Siniora; 5) Hope that all Lebanese political leaders, despite their different viewpoints, will overcome divisions and come together to seek a solution, avoiding useless challenges and clashes; 6) An invitation to all citizens to welcome their brothers without distinctions between Christians and Muslims, even opening schools and homes to offer solutions fitting the dignity of each person; 7)An appeal to those responsible for the violence to allow the arrival of food and medical supplies to people kidnapped or forced to remain in their homes subject to shelling. There was also an invitation to the Red Cross to assure aid to the needy. 8) The Maronite bishops hailed the initiative of the Holy Father Benedict XVI to pray tomorrow, 23 July, for peace in Lebanon, inviting all their believers to respect this desire of the pope, because only prayer can save the country.
An international conference will be held in Rome on 26 July to assess possible ways of reaching a ceasefire. The meeting will bring face to face the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice at the end of her tour in Israel and West Bank and the Foreign Ministers of Italy, Russia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, as well as the Lebanese minister. Javier Solana will attend for the European Union together with UN and World Bank representatives. Israel, however, will be absent. At the weekend, Israel plans to amass three or four divisions along the northern border. The government has called up another 3,000 reserves, after 6,000 already deployed on 12 July.
