Blair seeks UN resolution next week to defuse Middle East Conflict
By Raza Mumtaz 'Pakistan Times' Executive Editor/UK Bureau Chief

LONDON (UK): British Prime Minister Tony Blair flew to Washington Friday, seeking a United Nations Security Council resolution by next week to defuse the Middle East conflict.

Blair was due to hold talks with US President George W. Bush at the White House. The two allies have so-far resisted international calls for an immediate ceasefire by Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas, arguing that they want to ensure any such truce is sustainable.

The British leader, however, wants to step up "the urgency, the pace of diplomacy in identifying the practical steps that are necessary to bring about a ceasefire on both sides -- and I stress both sides," his spokesman said.

Speaking to reporters aboard the premier's plane as it headed to Washington from London, the official spokesman said that "we believe what we should be working towards is a UN resolution as early as possibly next week."

British diplomacy, he said, was "roughly" in tune with that of others like France and Germany.

"We want to accelerate the discussions that are going on amongst the international community about identifying those who would serve in a stabilisation force and increase the tempo of putting that stabilisation force together," he said.

"We also want to identify the practical steps that are necessary to allow the Lebanese government to extend its authority over all of Lebanon and make UN resolution 1559 a reality."

The resolution calls for the extention of the Lebanese government's authority to the whole of the country, including the border with Israel, and the disbanding of private militias such as Hezbollah.

The spokesman added: "Clearly also we want to identify the means to de-escalate the problems in Gaza and resume the process of the roadmap."
The roadmap drafted by the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations outlines steps toward establishing a viable Palestinian state living in peace alongside Israel.

Blair's spokesman gave no details about what kind of UN resolution Britain sought but the Guardian newspaper said the draft peace deal involves two phases.

"In the first, Israel and Lebanon would agree a ceasefire and a small multinational force would be deployed on the border, allowing Israeli troops to withdraw," it said.

Amnesty's Viewpoint

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has said, following reports that the United States used a British airport as a staging post for bombs destined for Israel.countries around the world should establish an arms embargo on Israel and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

"Direct targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure and launching indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks amount to war crimes," said Irene Khan, secretary general of the London-based human rights group.

"Governments supplying Israel and Hezbollah with arms and military equipment are fuelling their capacity to commit war crimes. All governments should impose an arms embargo on both sides and refuse permission for their territories to be used for the transfer of arms and military equipment."

Recent reports have alleged that two Airbus A310 cargo planes filled with GBU28 laser-guided missiles stopped at Glasgow Prestwick Airport over the weekend for refuelling and for the crew to rest en route to Israel.

Amnesty's Khan said: "The UK government should refuse permission for its sea and air ports to be used by planes or ships carrying arms and military equipment destined for Israel or Hezbollah."

The human rights group also called on Britain to suspend the sale or transfer of all military equipment to Israel.●