Bush’s call for Israeli moderation was: “Our message to Israel is, look, defend yourself, but as you do so, be mindful of the consequences. And so we've urged restraint.”
The urgency of the deliberations was demonstrated by Russia's decision to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon. Britain, France and the US are also planning to do the same.
France’s Chirac, often at conflicting views with US President Bush, told the President “we share the same views of the issues at stake here.”
He called for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559, which requires the disarming of Hezbollah and other militias in Lebanon.British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the only way to halt the hostilities was to acknowledge that extremists are trying to block peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
He said, “There are also extremists backed, I'm afraid, by Iran and by Syria, who want to disrupt the positions in Lebanon and who want to create a situation of tension and hostility there.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, host of his country's first G-8 summit, expressed reservations about Israel's intentions, saying, “It is our impression that aside from seeking to return the abducted soldiers, Israel is pursuing wider goals.”
He said it was intolerable for Hezbollah to take hostages and shell others' territory, but also for Israel to use massive force in response.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has said the developments are a cause for alarm around the world, and called upon the sides of the conflict to cease the confrontation and to ensure the protection of innocent civilians.
In a statement issued on 13th July, the head of the WCC, Rev Dr Samuel Kobia said, “The WCC strongly urges all parties to immediately stop and reverse the escalation of the conflict and all use of the rhetoric of war.”
Prior to the eruption of violence in the Middle-East last week, the summit had been expected to deal with nuclear crises involving North Korea and Iran, but those issues appear to have been overtaken.
The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to demand North Korea suspend its ballistic missile program.
World powers rebuked Iran last week when they went to the Security Council to seek possible punishment, saying it had given no sign it means to negotiate seriously over its disputed nuclear program. Iran retorted on Sunday that an incentive package was “an acceptable basis” for talks.
