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Vatican City, 14th July 2006 (CNA) - Today on
Vatican Radio, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano made a declaration
regarding the views of the Holy See on the escalating situation in the Holy
Land.
"The news we are receiving from the Middle East is certainly worrying,”
Sodano said.
"The Holy Father Benedict XVI and all his collaborators are following with
great attention the latest dramatic episodes, which risk degenerating into a
conflict with international repercussions.”
The conflict has arisen between Islamic
fundamentalist group Hezbollah and the state of Israel. However, the
attacks by Israel have come against targets in Lebanon. The fledgling
democratic government of Lebanon has been unable to control Syria-backed
Hezbollah, and is pleading for a ceasefire to end the conflict. The
attacks, according to the Associated Press, have killed nearly 50 Lebanese
and wounded at least 130, in addition to destroying Lebanon’s primary
airport, bridges, and roads.
Hezbollah, who functions mainly in the south
of Lebanon- along the border with Israel - began the conflict when they
crossed the border on Wednesday and captured two Israeli soldiers. As part
of its attempt to defeat Hezbollah, Israel conducted today a second set of
bombing missions against Lebanon’s infrastructure.
Cardinal Sodano said that while the Holy See condemns the actions of
Hezbollah, attacks on Lebanon are equally wrong. "As in the past, the Holy
See condemns both the terrorist attacks on the one side and the military
reprisals on the other. Indeed, a State's right to self-defense does not
exempt it from respecting the norms of international law, especially as
regards the protection of civilian populations.”
"In particular, the Holy See deplores the attack on Lebanon, a free and
sovereign nation, and gives assurances of its closeness to those people who
have suffered so much in the defense of their own independence.”
"Once again,” Sodano concluded, “it appears obvious that the only path
worthy of our civilization is that of sincere dialogue between the
contending parties."
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