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<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'><font size=3 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Address
to the Diplomatic Corps<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'><font size=3 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>By
the Prime Minister<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'><font size=3 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>H.E.
Mr. <span class=SpellE>Fuad</span> <span class=SpellE>Siniora</span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Grand
Serail, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Beirut</st1:City></st1:place>,
July 19, 2006<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>I have convened
the diplomatic corps in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lebanon</st1:place></st1:country-region>
today to launch an urgent appeal to the international community for an immediate
humanitarian ceasefire and assistance to my war ravaged country. You are all
aware that seven continuous days of an escalating Israeli onslaught on Lebanon
have resulted in immeasurable loss: the toll in terms of human life has reached
tragic proportions: over 1000 injured and 300 killed so far; over half a
million people have been displaced; in some areas, the hospitals have been
crippled and are unable to cope with the casualties; there are shortages of
food and medical supplies; homes, factories and warehouses have been completely
destroyed; UN facilities in Maroun El <span class=SpellE>Ras</span> and <span
class=SpellE>Naqoura</span> have just been shelled, so have been army barracks
and posts of Joint Security Forces; a civil defense unit has been wiped out and
foreigners are being evacuated.. As I speak, the trauma, the desperation, the
grief and the daily massacres and destruction go on and on. The country has
been torn to shreds.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Is the
value of human life in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lebanon</st1:place></st1:country-region>
less than that of the citizens of other countries?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Can the
international community stand by while such callous retribution by the State of
Israel is inflicted on us? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Will
you allow innocent civilians, churches, mosques, orphanages, medical supplies
escorted by the Red Cross, people seeking shelter or fleeing their homes and
villages to be the casualties of this ugly war?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Is this
what the international community calls self defense? Is this the price we pay
for aspiring to build our democratic institutions? Is this the message to send to
the country of diversity, freedom and tolerance?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Only
last year, the Lebanese filled the streets with hope and with red, green and
white banners shouting out: <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Lebanon</span></font></st1:place></st1:country-region><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'> deserves life! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>What
kind of life is being offered to us now?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>I will
tell you what kind: a life of destruction, despair, displacement,
dispossession, and death. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>What
kind of future can stem from the rubble? <span class=GramE>A future of fear,
frustration, financial ruin, and fanaticism.</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Let me
assure you that we shall spare no avenue to make <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> compensate the Lebanese
people for the barbaric destruction it has inflicted and continues to inflict upon
us, knowing full well that human life is irreplaceable. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>You
want to support the government of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Lebanon</st1:place></st1:country-region>? Let me tell you, ladies
and gentlemen, no government can survive on the ruins of a nation.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>On
behalf of the people of Lebanon, from Beirut, <span class=SpellE>Baalbeck</span>,
and <span class=SpellE>Byblos</span>, to <span class=SpellE>Tyre</span> <span
class=SpellE>Sidon</span> and <span class=SpellE>Qana</span>, to each and every
one of the 21 villages at the southern border, declared a no-go zone by Israel,
to Tripoli and <span class=SpellE>Zahle</span>, I call upon you all to respond
immediately without reservation or hesitation to this appeal for an immediate
cease-fire and lifting the siege, and provide urgent international humanitarian
assistance to our war-stricken country. I would also like to thank the
international organizations and the friendly countries that have already
extended their valued help and thank as well those who are preparing to do so. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Excellencies<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>We the
Lebanese want life. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>We have
chosen life. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>We
refuse to die. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Our
choice is clear. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>We have
survived wars and destruction over the ages. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>We shall
do so again. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>I hope you
will not let us down.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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