World powers converge on Rome for Middle East crisis talks
"The Rome negotiations bring together officials
from Britain, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy,
Jordan, Lebanon, Russia, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United
States.
Many other countries and leaders have called for
an immediate ceasefire, including Russia, France, members of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Annan and Pope Benedict XVI. "
World powers converge on Rome for Middle East crisis talks
By Agence France Presse (AFP)
ROME:
World powers converged Tuesday for Middle East crisis talks in Rome,
struggling to halt the bloodshed in Lebanon and Israel but split over
calls for an immediate ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Condeleezza Rice, expected here late Tuesday, has
resisted calling for an immediate ceasefire, saying the priority is
carving out a lasting resolution.
"It is time for a new Middle East," Rice said as she headed into talks
with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem, part of a
regional tour that began Monday with a surprise visit to bomb-battered
Beirut.
"A durable
solution will be one that strengthens the forces of peace and democracy
in the region," she said. One the eve of the talks, however, Israel
showed no sign of relenting in an onslaught that has killed more than
380 people, mostly civilians, and forced hundreds of thousands to flee
their homes in Lebanon.
"Israel is determined to carry on the fight against Hezbollah," Olmert
said. "We are not fighting the Lebanese government or the Lebanese
people. We are fighting against Hezbollah." The talks at Italy's
foreign ministry will bring together ministers from 15 countries as
well as top officials from UN, the EU and the World Bank.
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