    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [September 9, 2006]
    [Page 1637]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Visit of Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom to the Middle East
    September 9, 2006

        I am pleased that Prime Minister Blair will be visiting Lebanon,
    Israel, and the Palestinian Territories. The deployment of increasing
    numbers of international forces in an enhanced United Nations Interim
    Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which enabled the lifting of the air and sea
    blockade of Lebanon, makes this a timely visit. The Prime Minister will
    be discussing ways to facilitate the full implementation of United
    Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701, including enforcing
    the ban on unauthorized arms shipments to Hizballah from Iran and Syria.
    I understand the Prime Minister will also be exploring ways to advance
    the dialog between Israelis and Palestinians and the two-state solution,
    a democratic Israel and democratic Palestine living side by side in
    peace and security. I wish him well in his efforts to promote peace and
    stability in the region.