Tony Blair has committed £40m to help Lebanon recover from the recent conflict with Israel.
Visiting Beirut, the prime minister also said he would dedicate himself to helping to resolve the region's problems.
Speaking at a press conference alongside his Lebanese counterpart, Blair defended his delay in calling for an immediate ceasefire during the summer's conflict.
More than a thousand Lebanese were killed as the Israelis sought to destroy Hizbollah.
And Britain's roll in the conflict provoked anger from protestors in Beirut and at the press conference, which was interrupted by a woman who shouted that the visit was "an insult to the families of thousands of Lebanese who have died".
But Blair sought to sound optimistic about the prospects for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East.
He repeated his belief that resolving the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians was crucial to whole region's stability.
was wondering what do you make of this. should uk get involved?
2006-09-12 01:03:02 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Tony Blair should concentrate with his own people instead of giving away £40m He is geting away with murder. The UK shouldn't get involved.
2006-09-12 01:15:02 · answer #1 · answered by braveheart321 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. He was only stating the obvious. Calls for an immediate ceasefire would have been ignored by Israel as they were determined it would not happen until the UN and the Lebanese Army were ensconced in the South. Before there can be any sense of peace in the region the Palestinian problem must be settled. It is encouraging to hear President Abbas is promoting a government of unity but Hamas have got to realise that unless peace and mutual recognition is pursued there can be no winners. If peace comes the populations of both countries will be winners.
2006-09-12 07:34:22 · answer #2 · answered by bob kerr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure if the U.K. can make a solid and true effort to help why not. I just don't understand why they didn't do it sooner. They should have condemned Israel for the attacks. The problem with the Jews and the Muslims is they believe the same thing. Eye for an eye tooth for a tooth. So when one attacks, the other immediately retaliates. Blair coming from a "christian country" should have condemned the violence right from the start and criticized Israel for the retaliation they took. Instead Blair along with Bush (who also comes from a "christian country" Supported Israel. That to me is hypocritical.
But if he thinks he can help and if he is genuinely sincere about it. Then he should.
2006-09-12 01:26:08 · answer #3 · answered by tjinjapan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All major politicians want to be remembered for something. If he can be seen to "settle" the dispute then that becomes his legacy and he'll no doubt be hoping for a Nobel Peace Prize as well. All politicians are as bad but he does seem to take this need for recognition further than any other.
2006-09-12 01:16:19 · answer #4 · answered by des10euk 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tony Blair is is trying to make a new image for himself so that he can replace Kofi Annan when they both retire next year!
2006-09-12 01:10:26 · answer #5 · answered by G Man 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
dont think he can do much, it was the British who create the Isreali/Arab problem in the beginning, when they abandoned the Middle East without a mandate.
Tony just taking a free trip to the Middle East.
2006-09-12 01:58:16 · answer #6 · answered by SHIH TZU SAYS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
$40 million Pounds...is a pound short....and about 20 years too late......for the reasons he is Giving. I wish him all the best in his next job.
2006-09-12 11:08:44 · answer #7 · answered by doubletoehold 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's nice of him to donate £40m of my, and other taxpayers' money without an ounce of discussion.
2006-09-12 01:09:28 · answer #8 · answered by Roger B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
worlds police etc etc he is stepping down soon does not care what mess he leaves just for some one else to clean up.
2006-09-12 01:13:23 · answer #9 · answered by martin r 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we can't help it, its our empire complex, we need to be important in the world, this is why we get involved in every problem in the world
2006-09-12 01:06:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋