Arab FMs call for end of Lebanon violence

2008-05-12 09:18:57 [ Big Normal Small ]    　Comment

CAIRO, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Arab foreign ministers attending an emergency meeting here at the headquarters of the Arab League (AL) on Lebanon crisis called on all Lebanese to cease fire and end acts of violence.

"The (AL) council (of Arab foreign ministers) appeals for an immediate halt of fighting and the withdrawal of gunmen (in Lebanon)," the pan-Arab bloc said in a statement read by Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Ahmed ben Helli.


Arab foreign ministers attend an emergency meeting in Cairo, Egypt, on May 11, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

The Arab foreign ministers called on gunmen to withdraw from the streets to help Lebanon army maintain stability in the country, where sectarian fighting between anti and pro-government supporters recently left at least 24 people dead and dozens of others injured.

The AL council, which is still in session, has opted for launching this plea given the serious situation in Lebanon, ben Helli said.


Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa attends the Arab foreign minister emergency meeting at the Arab League headquarters to discuss Lebanese issues in Cairo May 11, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Deadly clashes in Lebanon erupted Wednesday after the cabinet decided Tuesday to cease the private communication network of the leading opposition group of Hezbollah and remove airport security chief Gen. Wafik Shqaier for alleged links to Hezbollah.

On Saturday afternoon, Lebanon's Hezbollah-led opposition withdrew its armed presence from the capital Beirut after the army froze earlier cabinet decisions against the Shiite group.


Lebanon's Culture Minister Tarek Mitri attends Arab foreign minister emergency meeting at the Arab League headquarters to discuss Lebanese issues in Cairo May 11, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

However, heavy clashes between pro and anti-government supporters broke out Sunday in mountain areas in central Lebanon, local New TV reported.

Earlier in the day, Arab foreign ministers started the emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Lebanon, where sectarian fighting in the past several days cast more shadows on the prolonged political crisis in the country.

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