Qdrop
08-10-2006, 07:56 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4778591.stm
UN attacks Lebanon aid 'disgrace'
The UN's top humanitarian official has criticised Israel and Hezbollah for hindering access to southern Lebanon, calling it a "disgrace".
Jan Egeland said both sides could give aid agencies access in a "heartbeat". "Then we could help 120,000 people in southern Lebanon," he said.
The comments came amid continuing clashes in the area, near Marjayoun.
Israeli planes have dropped leaflets on southern Beirut, warning residents of three districts to leave immediately.
More than 1,000 Lebanese, most of them civilians, have now been killed in the hostilities, their government has said. More than 100 Israelis, most of them soldiers, have also been killed.
Wednesday saw fierce fighting in southern Lebanon, with 15 Israeli soldiers killed in action - the highest number in a single day since the conflict began almost a month ago.
'Graveyard'
Heavy clashes have been reported in the area around the town of Marjayoun after armoured columns crossed the Lebanese border overnight.
Eyewitnesses said Israeli troops had seized the town, but a Lebanese army general in the area denied the reports in comments to the BBC.
Forces also advanced on the town of Khiam, witnesses said.
On Wednesday the Israeli cabinet approved a plan to push deeper into Lebanon, towards the Litani River, up to 30km (18 miles) from the border.
The army says the overnight action is not the start of a broader offensive, which officials say has been delayed to give more time for diplomacy on the crisis.
Speaking hours after the Israelis announced their expanded ground offensive, Hezbollah's leader said his guerrillas would turn southern Lebanon into a graveyard for Israeli soldiers.
Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah endorsed a Lebanese government plan to send 15,000 Lebanese soldiers to the south.
But he repeated his opposition to the idea of sending international troops to the border region to disarm the Shia militia, as demanded by the Israelis and a draft UN resolution.
Ceasefire text
At the UN, diplomats are attempting to reword the draft calling for a ceasefire, to take in Lebanese and Arab League demands for an immediate Israeli withdrawal.
On Wednesday differences surfaced again between France and the US - which co-sponsored the original draft - leading some diplomats to express concerns that diplomacy could collapse.
But the BBC's Bridget Kendall at UN headquarters says that there is now a mood of cautious optimism.
The five permanent members of the Security Council held a late-night meeting focusing on the main sticking points - how to get agreement on a ceasefire and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon, without allowing Hezbollah to rebuild its positions.
Correspondents say the members states are considering a French proposal to deploy Lebanese forces alongside the existing UN force, which would be strengthened, as the Israelis begin a phased withdrawal.
The US has yet to respond - so far it has insisted that any Israeli withdrawal can only follow the deployment of a new, robust multi-national force.
The new proposal is being discussed in members states' capitals before talks resume on Thursday.
UN attacks Lebanon aid 'disgrace'
The UN's top humanitarian official has criticised Israel and Hezbollah for hindering access to southern Lebanon, calling it a "disgrace".
Jan Egeland said both sides could give aid agencies access in a "heartbeat". "Then we could help 120,000 people in southern Lebanon," he said.
The comments came amid continuing clashes in the area, near Marjayoun.
Israeli planes have dropped leaflets on southern Beirut, warning residents of three districts to leave immediately.
More than 1,000 Lebanese, most of them civilians, have now been killed in the hostilities, their government has said. More than 100 Israelis, most of them soldiers, have also been killed.
Wednesday saw fierce fighting in southern Lebanon, with 15 Israeli soldiers killed in action - the highest number in a single day since the conflict began almost a month ago.
'Graveyard'
Heavy clashes have been reported in the area around the town of Marjayoun after armoured columns crossed the Lebanese border overnight.
Eyewitnesses said Israeli troops had seized the town, but a Lebanese army general in the area denied the reports in comments to the BBC.
Forces also advanced on the town of Khiam, witnesses said.
On Wednesday the Israeli cabinet approved a plan to push deeper into Lebanon, towards the Litani River, up to 30km (18 miles) from the border.
The army says the overnight action is not the start of a broader offensive, which officials say has been delayed to give more time for diplomacy on the crisis.
Speaking hours after the Israelis announced their expanded ground offensive, Hezbollah's leader said his guerrillas would turn southern Lebanon into a graveyard for Israeli soldiers.
Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah endorsed a Lebanese government plan to send 15,000 Lebanese soldiers to the south.
But he repeated his opposition to the idea of sending international troops to the border region to disarm the Shia militia, as demanded by the Israelis and a draft UN resolution.
Ceasefire text
At the UN, diplomats are attempting to reword the draft calling for a ceasefire, to take in Lebanese and Arab League demands for an immediate Israeli withdrawal.
On Wednesday differences surfaced again between France and the US - which co-sponsored the original draft - leading some diplomats to express concerns that diplomacy could collapse.
But the BBC's Bridget Kendall at UN headquarters says that there is now a mood of cautious optimism.
The five permanent members of the Security Council held a late-night meeting focusing on the main sticking points - how to get agreement on a ceasefire and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon, without allowing Hezbollah to rebuild its positions.
Correspondents say the members states are considering a French proposal to deploy Lebanese forces alongside the existing UN force, which would be strengthened, as the Israelis begin a phased withdrawal.
The US has yet to respond - so far it has insisted that any Israeli withdrawal can only follow the deployment of a new, robust multi-national force.
The new proposal is being discussed in members states' capitals before talks resume on Thursday.