Bush says no to Lebanon ceasefire

Will not strong arm Israel into ceasing operations

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By Ryan Jones
July 14, 2006

US President George W. Bush Friday rejected a request by Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora to impose an immediate ceasefire on Israel.

Bush told Saniora while en route to Russia that Israel has every right to defend itself, and must only be restrained by its need to limit civilian casualties.

Said White House spokesman Tony Snow:

"The president is not going to make military decisions for Israel."

Saniora chose to interpret Bush's remarks as an affirmation of the president's intention to "put pressure on Israel," and issued an official statement to that effect.

But Snow rebuffed the Lebanese leader's assertion:

Bush merely "reiterated his position" that Israel should limit the impact on civilians.

Snow pointed out that neither Israel nor Hizb'allah is likely to agree to a ceasefire, indicating the White House's readiness to let this episode play out until its conclusion.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has declared Israel's offensive will not end until Hizb'allah is disarmed. Defense Minister Amir Peretz has promised to "break" the terror group in his quest to bring security to northern Israel.

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