President Suleiman: Cluster Munitions Use Should Come to an End, Users Should be Politically Condemned

Local Editor

At the 2nd Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman said "Our approach towards the issue of cluster bombs stems from humanitarian considerations, as we are aware of the repercussions of their use and it is a must to voice our political condemnation of those who use cluster munitions."

He noted that the Monday's meeting holds representatives for more than one hundred states that aim at putting an end to the use of the killer cluster munitions. Delivering his word at the UNESCO Palace during the opening ceremony of the five-day meeting or conference, Suleiman also pointed out that this meeting "expresses our mutual will to confront this weapon that knows no difference between a civilian or soldier, which has been for years silently killing people or turning them into handicaps."

Suleiman further said that convening the conference in Lebanon is logical, as it is clear to all what "Israel" has left of destruction and violence through its aggressions against Lebanon, particularly the July 2006 war also leading to hundreds of deaths and injuries.

"It was not a coincidence that "Israel" named the 1996 aggression the Grapes of Wrath, by that revealing its intention to cause harm," Suleiman added.
He reiterated that "Duty requires political condemnation of its users, and compensating those harmed and affected."

The Lebanese President reminded that "Reports point out that "Israel" has dispersed around 4 million cluster bombs during the year 2006, over an area of 452 kilometers squared," adding "The cluster bombs are still there up-to-date, affecting civilians, particularly children and farmers. So far, these have led to the killing and injury of more than 400 victims. These (cluster bombs) constitute a form of occupation, as long as these threaten the lives of citizens."

Moreover, President Suleiman also highlighted that by using this weapon during its last war against Lebanon, "Israel" has shook the conscience of the world.
On behalf of Lebanon and the Lebanese, Suleiman thanked all parties that supported and aided the country, and hoped that this cooperation would continue until Lebanon totally gets rid of all killer cluster bombs planted in its soils. Concluding his word, Suleiman said "I announce my wish to see the Beirut declaration as a decisive milestone in the path of the convention."

Source: moqawama.org