Speaking at the State Department, U.S. President George W. Bush stated that Hizbullah has "a fantastic propaganda machine" but it nevertheless lost the war.
Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Tony Snow admitted that Israel did not succeed in knocking out the entire Hizbullah terrorist infrastructure. However, President Bush asserted that the United Nations Security Council resolution, brokered by the United States and France, is "an important step forward that will help bring an end to the violence."
Blaming the terrorist organization for starting the war, he said that Israel's retaliation showed the world "what it means to confront terrorists" and that "you got to have hope that ultimately freedom will prevail. The Israelis grieve over the deaths of innocents, while Hezbollah supporters celebrate."
Before his speech, he spoke with Defense Department Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Flanked by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Vice President Dick Cheney, Bush stated that the war Israel waged against Hizbullah terrorist was part of the global war for freedom threatened by terrorism.
He pointed out that the war never would have started had the United Nations carried out a previous resolution for Lebanon to deploy its army in southern Lebanon.
"Lebanon can't be a strong democracy when there is a state within a state and that's Hizbullah," President Bush said. He denounced Syria and Iran for arming Hizbullah, and added that Iran cannot be allowed to become a nuclear power.
Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Tony Snow admitted that Israel did not succeed in knocking out the entire Hizbullah terrorist infrastructure. However, President Bush asserted that the United Nations Security Council resolution, brokered by the United States and France, is "an important step forward that will help bring an end to the violence."
Blaming the terrorist organization for starting the war, he said that Israel's retaliation showed the world "what it means to confront terrorists" and that "you got to have hope that ultimately freedom will prevail. The Israelis grieve over the deaths of innocents, while Hezbollah supporters celebrate."
Before his speech, he spoke with Defense Department Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Flanked by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Vice President Dick Cheney, Bush stated that the war Israel waged against Hizbullah terrorist was part of the global war for freedom threatened by terrorism.
He pointed out that the war never would have started had the United Nations carried out a previous resolution for Lebanon to deploy its army in southern Lebanon.
"Lebanon can't be a strong democracy when there is a state within a state and that's Hizbullah," President Bush said. He denounced Syria and Iran for arming Hizbullah, and added that Iran cannot be allowed to become a nuclear power.