PMFuad Siniora's address to the European Parliament following the July 2006 war - Strasbourg

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honored to stand here before this distinguished audience following the tragic events in my country which continued unabated for thirty three days, causing much loss of life and tremendous damage to our homes, infrastructure, environment, economy and social fabric. We are here to express our gratitude and draw strength from your solidarity and affirm before our people and the international community the crucial significance of concerted European efforts and collective responsibility in healing Lebanon’s deep wounds and addressing with genuine concern the underlying broader problems of our turbulent region.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On July 12, fulfilling its threat to set Lebanon back twenty years, Israel started the latest of its invasions of our country, killing over 1100 civilians, a third of whom were children; wounding over 4000; displacing one million people, or a quarter of our population, many with no homes to return to; destroying thousands of homes, and many hospitals, schools, factories, roads and most of our bridges; severely damaging airports, power stations, fuel depots, and warehouses; enforcing a cruel siege on the entire country thereby creating shortages of fuel, medical supplies, and hampering essential humanitarian relief supplies; burdening future generations with more pain, suffering and debt; and causing a serious environmental disaster in the eastern Mediterranean. In all of this, Israel has persistently and willfully violated international law and international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. In short, ladies and gentlemen, Lebanon, which a few months ago was full of hope and promise, has been turned into a place of destruction, displacement, dispossession, desolation, and death.

There are those who would have us believe that a border incident, and by that I mean the abduction by Hezbollah of two Israeli soldiers from behind the Blue Line, was the cause of all this. The Lebanese government has made it clear from the outset that it had no prior knowledge of, and actually, disavowed such actions. Nevertheless, the state of Israel wasted no time in launching a massive and disproportionate response against Lebanon and the Lebanese people. It was the same state of Israel that gives itself the right to abduct Lebanese civilians, and detain, they say, not soldiers, but elected members of the Palestinian parliament, including the speaker, as well as ministers in the Palestinian government. Unfortunately, we have heard only timid objection by the international community to those actions, officially sanctioned by the Israeli government, compared to the abduction of the two Israeli soldiers which the Lebanese government has clearly and immediately disavowed.

For 34 days Israel relentlessly carried out its systematic campaign of destruction of Lebanon. Finally, on August 11, the Security Council passed Resolution 1701 which called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the lifting of the air and sea blockade, to be followed by a number of steps, including the deployment of up to 15,000 UNIFIL troops into the area south of the Litani River alongside the 15,000 Lebanese armed forces. The Lebanese government unanimously welcomed the resolution and acted immediately by commencing the deployment of our forces in the south, for the first time in almost forty years, followed by the deployment of 8600 troops on its border with Syria. But Israel delayed the cessation of hostilities, unleashing more of its deadly bombs, and causing more death and destruction. Then, even after the cessation of hostilities came into effect, Israel did not comply with Resolution 1701, it has still not completed its withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, and continues to violate Lebanese territory and airspace daily, and diverts valuable water resources, and carries out commando operations deep inside Lebanese territory. Furthermore, Israel maintained its illegal air and sea blockade for a further four weeks. It also left hundreds of thousands of unexploded bomblets resulting from cluster bombs which will continue to maim and kill unsuspecting civilians for many years. UNIFIL forces, in a cruel race against time, are clearing between five and eight hundred unexploded bombs every day. We call upon you for increased support in helping to remove these bomblets which hamper the resumption of normal life in South Lebanon.

In this context, I would like to express our appreciation for the European Parliament’s call for a comprehensive high-level inquiry being conducted under the aegis of the UN Secretary-General to investigate human rights violations, the plight of victims and the violation of humanitarian law. Three days ago, we welcomed the high level Commission of Inquiry constituted by the UN Human Rights Council in Beirut where it has begun its work. We hope for your continued involvement and support in seeing this work through.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In order for the current cessation of hostilities to be sustained, Israel must withdraw without any further delay from the positions it still occupies within Lebanon and must stop its violations of Lebanese territory. There also need to be concrete steps toward putting an end to the Israeli occupation of the Shebaa Farms, as an important element in establishing security along our southern border and in restoring the Armistice agreement between Lebanon and Israel, until such time that the Arab countries and Israel are able to reach a just and comprehensive peace settlement. We expect our friends, particularly members of the Security Council will play an active role in helping resolve the Shebaa farms issue. As you know, Lebanon, in its seven point plan, has proposed an interim arrangement for the Shebaa Farms region, namely putting it under UN custody, until such time that Syria agrees to delineate the Lebanese Syrian borders in that area. We hope that in the coming weeks progress will be made in that direction, and we count on your support. Such solutions will only serve the cause of peace and stability in Lebanon and the area.

I need not remind you that prior to this unjustified war against Lebanon, and as we were preparing to present our economic and social reforms to an international conference for the support of our country, our economy was beginning to show signs of recovery after the serious setback resulting from the assassination of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and its aftermath and the lingering effects of the long civil war and repeated Israeli incursions and invasions over four decades. We were also taking reform measures to redress the fiscal imbalance and help the Lebanese economy achieve its growth potential, promote sustainable social and economic development, and create new job opportunities.

The direct damage from this last invasion is now running into the billions of dollars, while the long term direct and indirect costs to the economy, including lost revenues in tourism, agriculture and industry are expected to be billions more. Where we were anticipating a growth rate of around 6% this year, we are now on the verge of a deep recession with tens of thousands of jobs having been lost and with all the consequences that entails; where we had a future full of promise, we must now pick up the pieces of our devastated country.

At the conference on the early recovery of Lebanon held in Stockholm on August 31st, over $900 million was pledged in immediate aid to our country. The European Commission and European member states generously pledged EUR 120 million in humanitarian aid. The conference which focused on relief and early recovery was an important first step on the long path of reconstruction of Lebanon. In addition to setting the pace for future efforts, it was a true demonstration of partnership and support for Lebanon by the international community.

It is this spirit of support and true partnership that we count on to draw lessons from Lebanon's cruel and tragic experience this summer. Lessons that help us, all of us, to work together to ensure that this will be the last such tragedy, not only in Lebanon but in the whole region – including Israel.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me ask you, now, today, from the heart of this great city of Strasbourg which has brought together neighboring nations despite differences of history, language, culture and religion: have all its wars given Israel the peace and security it aspires to? Is it not time for Israel to take stock of the limitation of military power and put an end to the constant cycle of violence which endangers our region as well as world peace and stability? Is it not time to work for a comprehensive just and lasting peace based on UNSCRs 242, 338 and 425?

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Military solutions are morally unacceptable. They are not real solutions, as recent events in Lebanon and Iraq have demonstrated. Partial and unilateral initiatives have all but failed. It is time for the international community to seek with determination a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. The last meeting of the Security Council held on the margin of the UN General Assembly does not meet our expectations and remains short of addressing the magnitude and core issues of the problem in the Middle East. A comprehensive political solution can only be implemented when Israel recognizes the right of the people of Palestine to a viable and independent state, and the right of return of refugees, pursuant to relevant UN resolutions, and withdraws from all the Arab lands it occupies in Lebanon, Gaza, Jerusalem, the West Bank and in the Syrian Golan Heights in accordance with Resolution 242. The Arab countries have, together, offered a hand of peace, a just, comprehensive peace, through the initiative of, then Crown Prince, Abdallah at the 2002 Arab Summit in Beirut. Unfortunately, Israel is yet to respond to this initiative.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The international community, and especially Europe, also has an interest and a responsibility in helping the peoples of the region shake off the feelings of hopelessness and despair, and to contribute to their own efforts in building more democratic and prosperous societies. On the one hand, the increasingly widespread suspicion, fear and even hostility towards Arabs and Muslims (who now represent about one fifth of the world population) and their stereotyping as inherently violent, irrational and hostile to the West, only feed into their pervasive sense of humiliation and anger. This, in turn, provides fertile ground for extremist and violent minds to engage – in the name of religion – in activities against innocent people that contradict the very basic tenets of all religions. On the other hand, Israel’s rejection of the Arab peace initiative aggravates instability in the region and in the wider Muslim world. The sentiments of injustice and anger are exacerbated, and the instability is now spilling over into neighboring Europe, the Americas, the Far East, Australia and the world at large. Recent backlashes in the Arab and Muslim worlds reveal the gravity of a cumulative and explosive misunderstanding which is leading to greater estrangement and more confrontation.

Notwithstanding some fundamentalist ideologies and those who profess an inevitable conflict of religions and cultures, I assure you that the vast majority of Muslims around the world do not want to be separated or isolated from the rest of the world. The vast majority of Muslims reject violence. They do not want to intimidate or be intimidated. The Noble Koran teaches unequivocally that killing an innocent human being is tantamount to killing all mankind. It is a crime against humanity. Yes, there are certain rights which have been denied to Muslims, but they also have duties and responsibilities. It is incumbent upon Arab and Muslim leaders and intellectuals to instill this sense of duty and responsibility in their societies and their youth, to redress their sense of moderation, humanism and justice, thereby enlightening their path to a better, more peaceful and prosperous future. This endeavor must go hand in hand with sincere efforts by the international community to address the root causes of the problems we are living.

The wider region, from Afghanistan to Iraq, Sudan, Palestine and Lebanon is ablaze with conflicts and saturated with armies. Hundreds die needlessly every day. The region has been - and remains - an example of instability. Europe can play a unique role in this volatile and strategic part of the world and we look forward to seeing this role strengthened, aware that this commitment to universal values and the right to peace and prosperity are at the heart of the European approach to world problems. In addition, none can ignore the fact that those escaping oppression, desperation, and poverty usually end up at your doorsteps, bringing with them a multitude of problems. If global security is indivisible, so is the security of our shared neighborhood.

The international community can no longer afford to react to crises. Rather, it must be thoughtful, creative, and proactive in its approach. Failed states and terrorism can no longer be blamed for all the ills of the region. As a Lebanese and an Arab, I assure you that many of those ills emanate from injustice, oppression, economic failure and desperation. If we are to achieve real stability and security, we must address all these issues. We must also build bridges of mutual respect and understanding across cultures and religions. This will open new horizons for similar economic and cultural cooperation between the countries of the region and Europe which will lead, in turn, to the harnessing of the enormous potential of our peoples for the mutual benefit of our interdependent societies.

In light of the lessons learnt from the experiences of the last few months, let us join forces and seize the opportunity to finally move forward towards a real, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. This can only be achieved by engaging all the parties to the conflict. We also firmly believe, as you do, that a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue must be found. Double standards must become single standards if this region is to achieve true security, real peace and lasting stability.

I know that many of you, and many of your leaders, are aware of the need to step back and take new and bold initiatives that help address our region's issues at their roots. I have spoken to many of them about this in recent months. I believe the time has come for concrete steps to be taken, and we are ready to work together towards those shared goals.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Facing all these challenges, the Lebanese people are determined to set the example by building a state which can reclaim its role as a haven of moderation, plurality and freedom where tolerance and enlightenment triumph over fanaticism, ignorance and oppression; a state that rekindles the beacon of freedom and democracy where justice and the rule of law prevail; a state that rises up to “Lebanon, the mission” as the late Pope John-Paul II described it. To a great extent, this role is the raison d’etre of the small but unique country of ours. You have stood by Lebanon in trying times and will, no doubt, continue to do so in our efforts for recovery in the period ahead, guided by the principles of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and by the longer term vision that binds us together.

Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to pay a special tribute to those European governments which have helped Lebanon during these difficult times, whether through their continued political support, or through their contribution to UNIFIL, or through economic and relief assistance. We look forward to your continued involvement and support as we move ahead to strengthen our institutions, including our security institutions, and as we rebuild our economy and provide it with the opportunity to reach its great potential. In the coming few months we will be convening an international donors conference to assist us in the enormous task facing us, and to overcome the consequences of the wars and invasions that Lebanon has endured over the past four decades. In particular, and in the spirit of our common neighborhood policy, we ask you to do everything possible to facilitate Lebanese exports of goods and services into Europe.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There is no nobler cause than the cause of peace, especially in a region which has suffered from the horrors of war for over half a century. Historic decisions require historic leaders who will rise up to the occasion and secure a better future for the children of our region and the world at large. For all our sakes, and for the sake of future generations, let us join forces to turn this troubled region into a haven of peace and hope.

I believe that striving for peace in Lebanon and the region requires a three pronged approach in which Europe can and should play a proactive role:

First, as far as Lebanon is concerned, Resolution 1701 must be fully implemented and the Shebaa Farms to be placed under UN custody. This will lead to the extension of the state's authority over all its territory and pave the way to the reestablishment of the Armistice agreement, until such time that a comprehensive peace settlement is reached between the Arab countries and Israel. Together with the reconstruction process and rehabilitation and revitalization of our economic and political institutions this will give us the vitality and necessary immunity and ability to build the truly democratic state which all Lebanese aspire to.

Second, the resumption in earnest of the peace process which will lead to a comprehensive, just and final settlement to the Middle East crisis and the creation of an independent and viable Palestinian state. As the rights of the peoples of the Middle East are secured, moderation and stability will prevail.

Third, Lebanon being part of a distinct Arab culture, tradition and identity that has made a great contribution to world civilization by being inclusive, pluralistic and open, we continue to take pride in these values and refuse all forms of exclusiveness, prejudice and isolation. However, we do not want to be an open battlefield for the conflicts of regional or international powers, and are working with other Arab nations to protect the integrity and stability of our countries and region.

Ladies and Genlemen,

I thank the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Council for their tireless efforts and support in helping to bring the hostilities in Lebanon to an end. I especially thank President Josep BORRELL FONTELLES for his gracious hospitality and for inviting me here today. It has indeed been an honor and a privilege.

Thank you.