[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 33 (Monday, August 21, 2006)]
[Page 1456]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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.