Much
of our time at the summit was spent discussing the situation in the
Middle East, especially the recent violence in Israel and Lebanon. The
recent crisis in the region was triggered by the kidnapping of Israeli
soldiers by the terrorist group Hezbollah and the launch of rockets
against Israeli cities. I believe sovereign nations have the right to
defend their people from terrorist attack, and to take the necessary
action to prevent those attacks.
We're also mindful of the cost to innocent civilians in Lebanon and
in Israel, and we have called on Israel to continue to exercise the
greatest possible care to protect innocent lives. Throughout this crisis
I have spoken to leaders in the Middle East and around the world. Our
efforts to resolve this dangerous situation are guided by an
international framework that is already in place.
In 2004, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1559,
which recognizes the sovereignty of Lebanon, calls for all foreign
forces to withdraw from Lebanon, and calls for the disbanding and
disarmament of all militias. Hezbollah defied the world's just demands
by maintaining armed units in the southern region of Lebanon and
attacking Israel in defiance of the democratically elected Lebanese
government.
I've directed Secretary of State Rice to travel to the Middle East in
the coming days to discuss the best ways to resolve this crisis with
leaders in the region. Secretary Rice will make it clear that resolving
the crisis demands confronting the terrorist group that launched the
attacks and the nations that support it.
For many years, Syria has been a primary sponsor of Hezbollah and it
has helped provide Hezbollah with shipments of Iranian made weapons.
Iran's regime has also repeatedly defied the international community
with its ambition for nuclear weapons and aid to terrorist groups. Their
actions threaten the entire Middle East and stand in the way of
resolving the current crisis and bringing lasting peace to this troubled
region.
We're also concerned about the impact the current conflict is having
on Lebanon's young democracy. This is a difficult and trying time for
the people of Lebanon. Hezbollah's practice of hiding rockets in
civilian neighborhoods, and its efforts to undermine the democratically
elected government have shown it to be no friend of Lebanon. By its
actions, Hezbollah has jeopardized Lebanon's tremendous advances and
betrayed the Lebanese people.
Over the past week, nations like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and the
United Arab Emirates have stepped forward to offer humanitarian aid and
assistance to the Lebanese government. America and our allies will join
these efforts. We're also working to help American citizens who wish to
leave Lebanon. American military personnel and embassy officials are
working hard to ensure this operation proceeds smoothly and safely. We
continue to pray for the safety of all people in Lebanon -- Americans,
Lebanese, and citizens of other countries.
America remains committed to lasting peace in the Middle East. The
United States and our partners will continue to seek a return to the
road map for peace in the Middle East, which sets out the pathway to
establishing a viable democratic Palestinian state that will live in
peace with Israel. We will continue to support moderate leaders, like
Palestinian Authority President Abbas. We will continue to call on Hamas
to end its acts of terror. And now, more than ever, the Palestinians
need leaders who are not compromised by terror and who will help the
Palestinian people provide a future for their children based on regional
peace and security.
In the long-term, this peace will come only by defeating the
terrorist ideology of hatred and fear. The world's best hope for lasting
security and stability across the Middle East is the establishment of
free and just societies. America and our allies will act decisively
because we know our security is at stake in this struggle and we know
the cause of freedom will prevail.
Thank you for listening.