Rice emphasized that the pre-July 12 status quo which was in place before the war was not an option. “We need to ensure that we will not return to the previous situation,” she said. She connected the issue of safety, however, to the importance of achieving a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah.
Olmert told Rice that Israel would not consider a ceasefire until the terror organization is dismantled and the two IDF soldiers it captured two weeks ago are returned.
“Israel is determined to continue on in the fight against Hizbullah,” he said. “We will not hesitate to take severe measures against those who are aiming thousands of rockets and missiles against innocent civilians for the one purpose of killing them,” he warned.
Olmert said Tuesday morning before meeting with Rice that Israel would try to work with the U.S. to relieve “humanitarian difficulties”, but reiterated that Israel will carry out “the most severe measures” against Hizbullah terrorists firing rockets at Israel.
Foreign Minister Tzippy Livni met with Rice upon her arrival in Israel Monday evening for talks focusing primarily on civilian conditions in Lebanon. Rice underscored the U.S. interest in protecting civilians who are caught in the crossfire as Israel bombs terrorist targets north of Israel’s border. She also talked about the need for Israel to assist the U.S. to rescue its citizens in Lebanon.
“We are concerned about the humanitarian situation,” she said, “and nobody wants to see innocent civilians harmed.” Israel opened a humanitarian corridor in its seaside blockade two days ago in order to allow foreign nationals to leave Lebanon and international aid into the country. Most countries evacuated thousands of their citizens from Lebanon last week.
Livni told Rice, as did Olmert on Tuesday, that a ceasefire would only be considered after the return of the two IDF soldiers it kidnapped on July 12, dismantling the Hizbullah terror organization and deployment of the Lebanese army in the south of the country. Hizbullah has controlled the region since Israel pulled out six years ago, in direct violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559.
The resolution, passed in 2004, calls for the disbanding and disarming of all domestic and foreign militias, and for the government of Lebanon to exercise control over all Lebanese territory.
“We have learned that peace must be based on long-term and stable principles, an end to the violence and a resolution of the humanitarian problems,” Rice responded, adding that Resolution 1559 had already spelled out the solution.
U.S. President George W. Bush has said he will not support any deal that leaves Hizbullah terrorists on Israel’s border.
Olmert told Rice that Israel would not consider a ceasefire until the terror organization is dismantled and the two IDF soldiers it captured two weeks ago are returned.
“Israel is determined to continue on in the fight against Hizbullah,” he said. “We will not hesitate to take severe measures against those who are aiming thousands of rockets and missiles against innocent civilians for the one purpose of killing them,” he warned.
Olmert said Tuesday morning before meeting with Rice that Israel would try to work with the U.S. to relieve “humanitarian difficulties”, but reiterated that Israel will carry out “the most severe measures” against Hizbullah terrorists firing rockets at Israel.
Foreign Minister Tzippy Livni met with Rice upon her arrival in Israel Monday evening for talks focusing primarily on civilian conditions in Lebanon. Rice underscored the U.S. interest in protecting civilians who are caught in the crossfire as Israel bombs terrorist targets north of Israel’s border. She also talked about the need for Israel to assist the U.S. to rescue its citizens in Lebanon.
“We are concerned about the humanitarian situation,” she said, “and nobody wants to see innocent civilians harmed.” Israel opened a humanitarian corridor in its seaside blockade two days ago in order to allow foreign nationals to leave Lebanon and international aid into the country. Most countries evacuated thousands of their citizens from Lebanon last week.
Livni told Rice, as did Olmert on Tuesday, that a ceasefire would only be considered after the return of the two IDF soldiers it kidnapped on July 12, dismantling the Hizbullah terror organization and deployment of the Lebanese army in the south of the country. Hizbullah has controlled the region since Israel pulled out six years ago, in direct violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559.
The resolution, passed in 2004, calls for the disbanding and disarming of all domestic and foreign militias, and for the government of Lebanon to exercise control over all Lebanese territory.
“We have learned that peace must be based on long-term and stable principles, an end to the violence and a resolution of the humanitarian problems,” Rice responded, adding that Resolution 1559 had already spelled out the solution.
U.S. President George W. Bush has said he will not support any deal that leaves Hizbullah terrorists on Israel’s border.