    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [August 12, 2006]
    [Pages 1506-1507]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the United Nations Security Council Resolution on the
    Situation in the Middle East
    August 12, 2006

        I welcome the resolution adopted yesterday by the United Nations
    Security Council, which is designed to bring an immediate end to the
    fighting sparked last month by an unprovoked terrorist attack on Israel
    by Hizballah, a terrorist group supported by Iran and Syria. The United
    States and its allies have been working hard since the beginning of this
    conflict to create the conditions for an enduring cease-fire and prevent
    armed militias and foreign-sponsored terrorist groups like Hizballah
    from sparking another crisis.
        Yesterday's resolution aims to end Hizballah's attacks on Israel and
    bring a halt to Israel's offensive military operations. It also calls
    for an embargo on the supply of arms to militias in Lebanon, for a
    robust international force to deploy to southern

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    Lebanon in conjunction with Lebanon's legitimate armed forces, and for
    the disarming of Hizballah and all other militia groups operating in
    Lebanon. These steps are designed to stop Hizballah from acting as a
    state within a state, and put an end to Iran and Syria's efforts to hold
    the Lebanese people hostage to their own extremist agenda. This in turn
    will help to restore the sovereignty of Lebanon's democratic Government
    and help ensure security for the people of Lebanon and Israel.
        The loss of innocent life in both Lebanon and Israel has been a
    great tragedy. Hizballah and its Iranian and Syrian sponsors have
    brought an unwanted war to the people of Lebanon and Israel, and
    millions have suffered as a result. I now urge the international
    community to turn words into action and make every effort to bring
    lasting peace to the region.

    Note: The statement referred to United Nations Security Council
    Resolution 1701.