Lebanon needs a ceasefire - delay costs lives

6.54.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Aug 2006

Commenting on the reports that an Israeli strike has killed 40 people in Southern Lebanon, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ming Campbell said:

Duncan Hames believes British diplomatic effort for a ceasefire deserves political support.

"This is a tragedy. While the diplomatic effort stalls, the dismantling of Lebanon continues. We need a totally committed effort to achieve an immediate ceasefire on both sides. It is essential that Britain, the US and the United Nations engage with the Arab League to ensure that this is achieved. Delay costs lives."

OXFAM South West has urged Wiltshire's MPs to publicly call for an immediate end to the fighting in the Middle East. Disappointingly, the Wiltshire Times reports that as at it went to press on Thursday 10th August neither Dr Murrison nor James Gray had done so. Mr Gray wrote in the Gazette and Herald:

"If that were to happen, would it guarantee peace in the region for all time to come? No one thinks so."

Local Lib Dem spokesman, Cllr Duncan Hames reacted angrily to the acquiescence of this hand-wringing:

"If Mr Gray does not think it is right to call for an immediate ceasefire, does he think that what is happening in Lebanon at the moment will do anything to bring about a lasting peace in the region? The Israeli government and army's destruction of southern Lebanon is inhumane, completely disproportionate, and has long since left behind the cause of their two captured soldiers. President Bush's willingness to stall efforts to bring about a ceasefire, while the Israeli army completes its planned manoeuvres should be rebuffed not excused."