Statement to the Security Council on the Middle East

"It is now clear that Hezbollah’s objectives went far beyond the abduction of Israeli soldiers. It is also obvious that the abduction was only the prelude to a major offensive aimed to inflict as much pain and suffering as possible, which is evident in Hezbollah’s indiscriminate launching of hundreds of rockets into urban areas deep into Israel with devastating consequences, including the deaths of innocents. It was also intended to sabotage internal Lebanese democratic political dialogue whose objectives include fulfilling resolution 1559. And finally, it was intended to serve the interests of Hezbollah’s backers in Damascus and Tehran.

This body passed resolution 1559 in an earnest effort to disarm the terrorist organization Hezbollah. It is a tragedy for Lebanon that since that time Hezbollah has been allowed to operate with impunity in southern Lebanon. The heaviest costs in this regard continue to be borne by the Lebanese people. Canada is already contributing to international humanitarian efforts to assist them....".