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<p><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">July 12, 2006 <i>(8:00 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 78</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">STATEMENT BY MINISTER MACKAY ON RECENT EVENTS IN THE
MIDDLE EAST</span></span></p>
<br>
<p>The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today made the following statement in response to
recent events in southern Lebanon:</p>
<br>
<p>“Canada strongly condemns Hizbollah’s attack on Israel, which has included the
capture of two Israeli soldiers and the launching of Katyusha rockets and mortar bombs
into Israeli towns. These actions only exacerbate tensions in the Middle East, threaten
the lives of civilians, and risk a deteriorating humanitarian situation.</p>
<br>
<p>“We urge Hizbollah to immediately and unconditionally release the Israeli soldiers. We
call on the Lebanese government to do its utmost to restore order within its border and
to fully implement Security Council resolution 1559. We also call on Syria and Iran,
both long time supporters of Hizbollah, to cease all financial and other assistance to
the organization.</p>
<br>
<p>“Canada remains deeply concerned about the well being of civilians. We urge all
parties to act with restraint and take all possible measures to protect innocent civilian
lives.”</p>
<br>
<p>- 30 -</p>
<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221040851/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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