NEWS RELEASES

October 7, 2000 (5:30 p.m. EDT) No. 254

AXWORTHY URGES CALM IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today expressed his grave concern over the escalation of violence along the Lebanese-Israeli border and called on all parties involved to cease hostilities immediately.

"Canada urges all parties to cease acts of aggression along the border," said Mr. Axworthy. "We are particularly disturbed by the capture of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah and we call for their immediate release. We are equally concerned over reports of Israeli forces violating Lebanese territory and injuring unarmed civilians."

In addition, the Minister strongly encouraged all parties to refrain from further retaliatory actions and asked the governments concerned to take all necessary measures to ensure calm along their borders. Mr. Axworthy also noted that Canadian representatives in the region had been instructed to make these views known to the governments.

Finally, Mr. Axworthy reiterated Canada's dismay over the continuing violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, noting in particular the disturbing events in Nablus this morning following the Israeli troop withdrawal. He urged the parties to abide by agreed security arrangements, to restore calm immediately and to return as soon as possible to negotiations.

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