International Response

Spain urges Israel, Lebanon to calm border conflict

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-07-14 11:05

MADRID, July 13 -- The Spanish government on Thursday called on Lebanon's militia group Hezbollah to release two Israeli soldiers it had captured a day before and urged Israel to act with moderation.

Spain's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ministry issued a statement on Thursday, saying "the Spanish government expresses its unreserved condemnation of the armed attack and the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah (or Party of God) militants." The attack took place on Wednesday on the Israel-Lebanon border.

Earlier on Thursday, Israeli aircraft carried out attacks on Beirut's international airport and launched air strikes on southern Lebanon.

The statement said that Israel's response had increased regional instability and brought about the deterioration in the Israel-Palestine peace process.

Spain urged Lebanon to immediately and unconditionally release the captured soldiers and stop the attacks on Israel, while calling on Israel to act moderately and avoid escalating the violence.

The statement said Spain was in permanent contact with international players, aiming to reduce the tension and help seek a solution to the crisis.

Israeli forces have been attacking Lebanon for two days, targeting strategic installations, bridges, army bases and roads, after Hezbollah's cross-border raid on Wednesday morning.