Howells’ Remarks Were Overdue: Immediate Ceasefire is Required in Lebanon

The Muslim Council of Britain welcomes yesterday’s remarks by the Foreign Office Minister, Kim Howells, criticising the systematic destruction of Lebanese civilian infrastructure by the Israeli government and the accompanying killing of many children.

`This statement was long overdue but we welcome the fact that Dr Howells has made it. It is vital that our country does not adopt the one-sided pro-Israel vision of the Middle East, as advocated by President Bush, which has led to the heart breaking near-destruction of Lebanon that we are witnessing,’ said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

The MCB urges our government to pursue a balanced Middle East policy that calls for an immediate ceasefire and the negotiated release of detainees from all sides, not just Israeli captives.

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