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U.S. Plan Seeks to Wedge Syria Away From Iran 
New York Times - Jul 22 11:05 AM
As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice heads to Israel, U.S. officials are seeking ways to peel Syria away from its alliance of convenience with Iran.Pressuring Hizbollah, Iran, Syria key: Bush Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jul 22 12:35 PM
President George W. Bush on Saturday launched a round of diplomacy on the crisis in southern Lebanon, saying the United States would urge Arab leaders to help pressure Hizbollah as well as Syria and Iran.Rice to seek pressure on Iran, Syria: Bush AFP via Yahoo! News - Jul 22 11:49 AM
US President George W. Bush said that one of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's chief goals on her upcoming Middle East trip would be to try to isolate Iran and Syria.Lebanese refugees stream across the border into Syria San Diego Union-Tribune - Jul 22 5:06 PM
11:38 a.m. July 22 (AP): Al JADEDEH, Syria His hands shook. He choked out his words. Look at me, Mohammed Rahad said as he arrived at the Lebanese-Syrian border, a chaotic collection of makeshift buildings, tents and trailers among the arid hills and thorny brambles.Lebanese stream across the border into Syria; threatening revenge on Israel CP via Yahoo! Canada News - Jul 22 3:09 PM
Al JADEDEH, Syria (AP) - His hands shook. He choked out his words.Huge exodus puts strain on Syria as refugees pour in Independent - Jul 22 4:28 PM
With nearly 400 killed and 500,000 Lebanese displaced following Israel's 12-day bombardment of Lebanon, tens of thousands of people are trying to flee across the border to Syria. Lebanon's border crossings with Syria to the north and east have been inundated with people, with up to a million Lebanese seeking refuge, according to state-run Syria TV. The Lebanese government and the United Nations Bush steps up criticism of Syria, Iran ABC via Yahoo!7 News - Jul 22 1:50 PM
US President George W Bush has increased his criticism of Syria and Iran over their support for Hezbollah.Annan warns Israel on invasion; urges Syria, Iran to join talks AFP via Yahoo! News - Jul 21 5:37 PM
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned that an Israeli invasion of Lebanon would see a dramatic escalation of Hezbollah attacks and said Syria and Iran should be involved in resolving the crisis.Syria 'ready for dialogue' with US on Middle East Channel NewsAsia - Jul 22 1:10 PM
LONDON - Syria is ready to open a dialogue with the United States to resolve the crisis in Lebanon, deputy foreign minister Faisal Mukdad told a British all-news television channel Saturday.Pressuring Hizbollah, Iran, Syria key: Bush RedNova - Jul 22 3:24 PM
By Patricia Wilson CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Saturday launched a round of diplomacy on the crisis in southern Lebanon, saying the United States would urge Arab leaders to help pressure Hizbollah as well as Syria and Iran. With U.S.U.S. Hopes Saudis, Egypt Influence Syria Fox 6 News San Diego - Jul 22 2:58 PM
The Bush administration hopes to use Egypt and Saudi Arabia to convince Syria to cut its ties to Hezbollah.Report: Syria Willing to Attempt to Broker a Ceasefire Israel National News - 24 minutes ago
(IsraelNN.com) Syria has announced a willingness to enter into talks with the UN towards negotiating a ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hizbullah, Sky News reports.U.S. Hopes Saudis, Egypt Influence Syria WOAI - Jul 22 3:03 PM
The Bush administration hopes to use Egypt and Saudi Arabia to convince Syria to cut its ties to Hezbollah, The New York Times reports.Hezbollah nourished by Iran, Syria roots AP via Yahoo! News - Jul 21 1:24 PM
The Hezbollah military machine that has been attacking Israel draws much of its strength from two shadowy sources that are proving difficult to cut off: Syria and Iran.Bush steps up criticism of Syria, Iran Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Jul 22 2:02 PM
US President George W Bush has increased his criticism of Syria and Iran over their support for Hezbollah. Dr Rice will make it clear that resolving the crisis demands confronting the terrorist group that launched the attacks and the nations that support it.Rice to seek pressure on Iran, Syria: Bush Khaleej Times - Jul 22 10:20 AM
CRAWFORD, Texas - US President George W. Bush said Saturday that one of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice s chief goals on her upcoming Middle East trip would be to try to isolate Iran and Syria.Participation by Syria and Iran ERT.gr - Jul 22 4:48 AM
The UN Secretary-General asked for the participation of Iran and Syria for finding a viable resolution and supported an international force security mission on the borders of Israel and Lebanon, a proposal that Israel so far has rejected.Bush slams Syria, Iran over Hezbollah CNN.com - Jul 22 10:19 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush on Saturday slammed Syrian and Iranian support for Hezbollah and underscored U.S. support for the Israeli reaction to the provocations by the Shiite guerrillas in Lebanon.Annan warns Israel on invasion; urges Syria, Iran to join talks The Nation - Jul 21 10:13 PM
WASHINGTON - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned Friday that an Israeli invasion of Lebanon would see a dramatic escalation of Hezbollah attacks and said Syria and Iran should be involved in resolving the crisis.191 UAE nationals back from Syria Khaleej Times - Jul 21 9:03 PM
DUBAI A number of UAE nationals arrived here from Damascus, Syria, onboard a special flight launched by Dubai Media Corporation to carry UAE nationals whose holidays in Lebanon were cut short by Israeli ongoing raids on Lebanese cities and towns.All Qataris in Syria safe, says official The Peninsula - Jul 21 5:08 PM
DOHA All Qataris who crossed into Syria following the attack on Lebanon are safe and sound, according to the country's ambassador to Damascus, Majed Ghanem Al Ali.Rice heads to region, could seek to pry Syria from Iran Khaleej Times - 1 hour, 16 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - With the Israeli offensive in Lebanon reaching its 12th day, a new diplomatic push for resolution was under way, with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice slated to depart Sunday for the region and Germany s foreign minister already there.Bush: Rice trip will focus on Hezbollah AP via Yahoo! News - Jul 22 11:59 AM
President Bush said Saturday that his administration's diplomatic efforts in the Mideast will focus on strategy for confronting Hezbollah and its supporters in Syria and Iran.Fighting Creates 700,000 Refugees CBS News - 1 minute ago
The United Nations estimates that fighting in Israel and Lebanon has created some 700,000 refugees. About 200,000 Lebanese civilians are walking or driving to Syria.Russian, CIS evacuees from Lebanon stopover in Syria Russian Information Agency Novosti - Jul 21 11:08 AM
BEIRUT, July 21 (RIA Novosti) - A total of 196 citizens of Russia and other ex-Soviet republics evacuated from Lebanon have stopped over in Syria on their way to Moscow, the Russian Embassy said Friday.Hezbollah Nourished by Iran, Syria Roots Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune - Jul 21 1:17 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Hezbollah military machine that has been attacking Israel draws much of its strength from two shadowy sources that are proving difficult to cut off: Syria and Iran. The two countries, which President Bush blames for fomenting terrorism and destabilizing the Middle East, provide Hezbollah with training, weapons and financing, according to Western intelligence officials who Syria Blocks U.N. Efforts To End Lebanon Crisis, U.S. Envoy Says U.S. Department of State - Jul 21 8:54 AM
United Nations -- Syria is becoming a serious stumbling block in international diplomatic efforts to end the fighting in Lebanon, U.S. officials say. In the U.N. Security Council July 20, Secretary-General Kofi Annan outlined his plan for a wide-ranging settlement and reported on the efforts of the three-person mission, led by Vijay Nambiar, that he sent to the region July 13 as the fighting Rogers: Syria has 1,000 plus agents in southern Lebanon WOOD TV 8 - Jul 21 6:07 AM
WASHINGTON Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers says that Syria has more than a thousand agents in southern Lebanon. He says they either work directly for Syrian...Bush: Rice trip about Hezbollah MSNBC - 1 hour, 7 minutes ago
U.S. President George W. Bush says his administration's diplomatic efforts in the Mideast will focus on strategy for confronting Hezbollah and its supporters in Syria and Iran.Bush: Hezbollah, Syria, Iran Must be Confronted Voice of America - Jul 22 10:32 AM
President Bush has repeated his stance that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks. Mr. Bush Saturday used his weekly radio address to talk about Israel's ongoing battle with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.Syria Blocks U.N. Efforts To End Lebanon Crisis, U.S. Envoy Says U.S. Department of State - Jul 21 6:52 AM
Syria is becoming a serious stumbling block in international diplomatic efforts to end the fighting in Lebanon, U.S. officials say. In the U.N. Security Council July 20, Secretary-General Kofi Annan outlined his plan for a wide-ranging settlement and reported on the efforts of the three-person mission, led by Vijay Nambiar, that he sent to the region July 13 as the fighting intensified. However, First batch of OFWs fleeing Lebanon reach Syria INQ7.net - Jul 21 2:53 AM
(2ND UPDATE) THE FIRST batch of overseas Filipino workers who have fled the war in Lebanon arrived in Damascus, Syria early Friday, as Bahrain agreed to help the Philippine government in its evacuation efforts by providing chartered flights, according to reports culled by INQ7.net.Syria Warmly Welcomes Lebanese Evacuees NPR - Jul 22 9:12 AM
The Syrian government and people have welcomed Lebanese evacuees from the Israel-Hezbollah fighting with open arms, despite a strained relationship between the two countries. For the moment, their differences has been forgotten as Lebanese stream into Damascus.NBC: Lebanese welcomed in Syria MSNBC - Jul 20 12:07 PM
NBC News Jim Maceda reports from Damascus on the how Syrians are welcoming the Lebanese people displaced by the conflict and the difficult diplomatic dance Syria is engaged in with the United States. Cimatu: More Filipino evacuees set for Syria ABS-CBNNEWS.com - Jul 21 12:06 AM
The government's special ambassador to the Middle East confirmed Friday that another batch of Filipinos will be evacuated to Syria from Lebanon for the return flight to the Philippines, ANC reported.Thousands head for Cyprus and Syria in Lebanon exodus AFP via Yahoo! News - Jul 20 12:43 AM
The exodus of thousands of foreign nationals from Lebanon gathered pace as an international flotilla of warships, cruise vessels and ferries converged on Beirut to take refugees to Cyprus and buses headed for Syria.RF Emergencies Ministry sends planes to Cyprus, Syria for evacuation Itar-Tass - Jul 21 12:43 AM
MOSCOW, July 21 (Itar-Tass) -- The Russian Emergencies Ministry sends more planes to Cyprus and Syria to evacuate Russian citizens and citizens of other CIS countries from the Middle East conflict zone, the ministry's information department told Itar-Tass.Four soldiers killed in clashes with Hezbollah; IAF pounds Lebanon's main road link to Syria Haaretz Daily - Jul 21 2:25 AM
Israel Air Force warplanes resumed strikes on Lebanon at daybreak Friday, pounding the country's main road link to Syria with missiles and setting passenger buses on fire, Lebanese police said.Bush raps Syria, Iran on Hezbollah support UPI - Jul 22 7:14 AM
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 22 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush said he is sending his top diplomat to the Middle East to seek ways to resolve the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.First batch of OFWs fleeing Lebanon reach Syria INQ7.net - Jul 20 6:30 PM
THE first batch of overseas Filipino workers who have fled the war in Lebanon has arrived in Damascus, Syria early Friday, GMA Network s "Unang Hirit" morning newscast reported.Lebanese refugees a potential disaster, Annan warns CBC - Jul 22 5:18 PM
More than 200,000 Lebanese have fled to Syria, some of the estimated 700,000 people who have left their homes as Israel continues attacks on Hezbollah militants based in Lebanon.US holds Lebanon hostage to gain levarage with Syria ArabicNews.com - Jul 20 6:45 PM
Syria is becoming a serious stumbling block in international diplomatic efforts to end the fighting in Lebanon, US officials say.Syria, Russia urge for ceasefire in Lebanon People's Daily - Jul 20 5:34 PM
Syria and Russia on Thursday urged for a ceasefire in Lebanon where Israel continued a massive assault against the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah on a ninth day.Just a couple of things ... The Daily Iberian - 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
Dr. Ahmad left out a couple of things. The words Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran and Syria were left out of the "above the law" comment...also, the Arab-Israeli conflict has been going on a lot longer than just 60 years.U.N.: Conference will focus on truce AP via Yahoo! News - Jul 21 7:41 PM
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's call for a high-level conference will focus on reaching agreement on the political underpinnings of a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militia, the top U.N. envoy on Lebanon and Syria said Friday.We have hit a large part of their weapons arsenal (IDF) Haaretz Daily - 2 hours, 4 minutes ago
: And in two weeks they'll get more by way of Iran or Syria. The same goes for "we hit the top commanders of...", "we hit 80 percent of the terrorists infrastructure" etc.Kurdistan National Assembly of Syria meets US officials, Syrian pressure continues Kurdish Media - Jul 20 3:38 PM
New York (KurdishMedia.com) 21 July 2006: The newly-formed Kurdistan National Assembly of Syria (KNA-S), an umbrella organization representing a number of groups, political parties, NGOs and independent activists from the Kurdish region of Syria, is continuing its activities as pressure on the Syrian Ba athist regime increases.Bush: Rice Will Focus On Confronting Hezbollah KUTV.com - Jul 22 3:34 PM
(AP) WACO, Texas President Bush said Saturday that his administration's diplomatic efforts in the Mideast will focus on strategy for confronting Hezbollah and its supporters in Syria and Iran.Lebanese refugees crossing Syrian border Syracuse.com - Jul 22 12:06 PM
Al JADEDEH, Syria (AP) His hands shook. He choked out his words. "Look at me," Mohammed Rahad said as he arrived at the Lebanese-Syrian border, a chaotic collection of makeshift buildings, tents and trailers among the arid hills and thorny brambles.Syria Blocks U.N. Efforts To End Lebanon Crisis, U.S. Envoy Says [Press Release] U.S. Department of State - Jul 20 5:25 PM
Syria is becoming a serious stumbling block in international diplomatic efforts to end the fighting in Lebanon, U.S. officials say. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says Syria's refusal to meet with envoys the United Nations sent to the region "in effect applies to all of our collective efforts to get an international solution" to the crisis in Lebanon. "We know the root cause of Syria, Turkey deplore slow world response to conflict AFP via Yahoo! News - Jul 19 9:18 AM
Syria and Turkey have deplored the "slow" international response to Israel's military offensive which has killed more than 300 Lebanese civilians and scores of Palestinians, Syrian media has said.Students in Syria fear they might be caught up in war The Columbus Dispatch - Jul 20 4:16 AM
DAMASCUS, Syria Everything seems at peace here. The sun sets below nearby Mount Qassioun as the evening call to prayer rises above the ancient Arab capital. Old men lounge outside their shops, carrying on easy conversation. Children kick soccer balls along narrow alleyways.Hezbollah Nourished by Iran, Syria Roots AP via Yahoo! Asia News - Jul 21 1:24 PM
The Hezbollah military machine that has been attacking Israel draws much of its strength from two shadowy sources that are proving difficult to cut off.Syria ramps up humanitarian efforts in Lebanon crisis AFP via Yahoo! News - Jul 19 7:48 AM
Syria, isolated by the West and accused of funding Hezbollah militants, says it is doing everything possible to help thousands of people fleeing the Israeli military bombardment of Lebanon.Hezbollah 'heroes' hailed in Iran for their 'great job' AFP via Yahoo! News - Jul 21 10:47 AM
Top Iranian cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani hailed Lebanon's Hezbollah as "heroes," but rejected mounting allegations that Iran and Syria were behind the Shiite movement's conflict with Israel.Bolton argues against stopgap UN measure on Lebanon AFP via Yahoo! News - Jul 21 11:40 AM
Washington's UN ambassador, John Bolton, warned the Security Council against adopting stopgap measures in dealing with the new round of violence in the Middle East, and again blamed Iran and Syria for causing the violence.Families Torn Apart and Travelers Uprooted, With No End in Sight New York Times - Jul 21 7:46 PM
Reports from Hassan M. Fattah in Tyre, Lebanon; Sabrina Tavernise in Damascus, Syria; Craig S. Smith in Gaza; and Renwick McLean in Larnaca, Cyprus.Bush Says Confronting Hizballah Key to Peace Radio Free Europe: Radio Library - Jul 22 10:18 AM
July 22, 2006 -- In his weekly radio address today, President Bush said the way to end the conflict in Lebanon is to confront Hizballah and its backers, Syria and Iran. That, he said, would be the message U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would take to the Middle East on July 23.Israel Will Accept a Disarmed Hezbollah Washington Post - 21 minutes ago
The United States, Israel, the United Nations and the European Union have reluctantly concluded that despite punishing military attacks, Hezbollah is likely to survive as a political player in Lebanon, and Israel now says it is willing to accept the organization if it sheds its military wing and...Israel Will Accept a Disarmed Hezbollah Washington Post - 29 minutes ago
The United States, Israel, the United Nations and the European Union have reluctantly concluded that despite punishing military attacks, Hezbollah is likely to survive as a political player in Lebanon, and Israel now says it is willing to accept the organization if it sheds its military wing and abandons extremism, according to several key officials. UN envoy says Rice called conference to try to discuss Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire CP via Yahoo! Canada News - Jul 22 3:08 AM
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The top UN envoy on Lebanon-Syria issues says U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has called a high-level international conference next week to try to reach agreement on the political underpinnings of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militia.In Iraq, Military Forgot the Lessons of Vietnam Washington Post - 29 minutes ago
The real war in Iraq -- the one to determine the future of the country -- began on Aug. 7, 2003, when a car bomb exploded outside the Jordanian Embassy, killing 11 and wounding more than 50.Select an Edition: AlertNet - Jul 22 4:38 AM
IMC staff in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon have sent assessment teams to Jbail in the north of Beirut to determine immediate emergency needs in Lebanon where there are expected to be 500,000 internally displaced people seeking refuge since fighting on the southern border with Israel flared-up last week.Rice: No 'False Promises' in Middle East NPR - Jul 21 6:11 PM
Ahead of a weekend trip to the Mideast, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says a quick cease-fire would amount to a "false promise." She says she'll talk to Middle East leaders -- but not Hezbollah or Syria. Rice says Syria "knows what it needs to do and Hezbollah is the source of the problem."Russia, Syria, agree on need for Lebanese-Israeli ceasefire Russian Information Agency Novosti - Jul 20 6:38 AM
MOSCOW, July 20 (RIA Novosti) - Syria's president and a Russian deputy foreign minister agreed Thursday on the need for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict in Lebanon, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.The Animal Planet Payvand Iran News - Jul 22 7:11 AM
Now let's see how the current scenario could possibly evolve into a regional conflagration with global implications. By that I mean the very real possibility of stretching the current confrontations in Lebanon to engulf Syria and, if Yahweh, in His wisdom, doesn't change His mind, into Iran. -Kam ZarrabiSyria Denies Helping Hezbollah CBS News - Jul 19 12:13 PM
In an exclusive interview with Richard Roth , Syria's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fayssal Mekdad, denied that his country is smuggling weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.Israeli military seizes Lebanese town CNN.com - 25 minutes ago
Denying that it plans a full-scale ground invasion, the Israeli military entered the southern Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras to establish its "first foothold" in a security buffer along the border, the Israel Defense Forces said.Filipino evacuees on the way to Syria ABS-CBNNEWS.com - Jul 20 1:06 AM
The first batch of Filipino evacuees from the Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church in eastern Beirut are now on their way to Damascus, Syria, ABS-CBN News learned Thursday.In Iraq, Military Ignored Lessons of Vietnam Washington Post - 2 hours, 0 minute ago
The real war in Iraq -- the one to determine the future of the country -- began on Aug. 7, 2003, when a car bomb exploded outside the Jordanian Embassy, killing 11 and wounding more than 50. On the morning of Aug. 14, 2003, Capt. William Ponce, an officer in the "Human Intelligence Effects... In...Cyprus takes in more evacuees Reuters via Yahoo! News - 50 minutes ago
Tiny Cyprus braced to take in nearly 10,000 more fugitives from Lebanon on Sunday as the United Nations appealed for urgent international aid for the far greater numbers of people left behind.Israel blasts its way into Lebanon Reuters via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
Israel bombed Hizbollah's stronghold in Beirut and east and south Lebanon on Sunday, hours after seizing a strategic Lebanese frontier village.Sermons blame U.S. Berkshire Eagle - Jul 22 4:13 AM
DAMASCUS, Syria In mosques from Mecca to Marrakesh, sermons at Friday prayers underscored both the David-versus-Goliath glamour that many Arabs associate with Hezbollah's fight against Israel and their antipathy toward the United States and its allies in the region for doing so little to stop yet another Arab country from collapsing into bloodshed.Israel battles Hezbollah, takes village AP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 7 minutes ago
Israeli tanks, bulldozers and armored personnel carriers knocked down a fence and barreled over the Lebanese border Saturday as forces seized a village from the Hezbollah guerrilla group.Filipino evacuees on the way to Syria ABS-CBNNEWS.com - Jul 20 12:36 AM
The first batch of Filipino evacuees from the Our Lady of Miraculous Medallion church in eastern Beirut are now on their way to Damascus, Syria, ABS-CBN News learned Thursday.Israel punches into south Lebanon as civilians flee AFP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 45 minutes ago
Israeli troops are holding positions in southern Lebanon after tanks punched across the border in a new ground incursion against Hezbollah amid mounting concern over the plight of civilians.Time to take on Iran and Syria directly WorldNet Daily - Jul 21 9:59 AM
Note: Melanie Morgan delivered the following open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday.US to give Israel another week for attacks: paper Reuters via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 10 minutes ago
Israeli officials believe they have approval from the United States to keep up attacks on Hizbollah guerrillas in Lebanon for at least another week, an Israeli newspaper said on Sunday.Military Lessons Forgotten Washington Post - Jul 22 6:34 PM
Early missteps in Iraq by U.S. left troops unprepared for guerrilla warfareBush blames Hezbollah for sparking crisis in Middle East New Kerala - Jul 22 12:13 PM
Washington, July 22: Blaming Hezbollah militant group for sparking off the crisis in Lebanon, US President George W Bush today said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's upcoming visit to the Middle East will seek to put pressure on Iran and Syria, the "primary sponsors" of the outfit.Look Ma, No Script: What That Says About Me New York Times - Jul 22 4:02 PM
President Bush's unvarnished lunchtime conversation with other world leaders may fall into what can best be described as the blooper bin.2 U.S. troops, 12 others killed in Baghdad AP via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
Two American soldiers were killed Saturday in Baghdad, seven Shiite construction workers were gunned down and five Sunni civilians were blown up, deepening the capital's security crisis. Shiite politicians called on the prime minister to cancel his visit to Washington to protest Israel's attacks in Lebanon.Cal State lecturer in Beirut sought safety in Syria Daily Bulletin - Jul 20 12:50 AM
A Cal State San Bernardino lecturer who was in Beirut at the time Israeli forces launched military strikes against that city sought safety in Syria, people close to the professor said Wednesday.Beirut evacuees arrive in Dublin u.tv - Jul 22 7:54 AM
A plane carrying more Irish evacuees from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, has arrived in Dublin. They had been bussed from Beirut to Syria yesterday. From there, the group travelled to Dublin via London.Rice: No 'False Promises' in Middle East NPR - Jul 21 4:01 PM
All Things Considered , July 21, 2006 · Ahead of a weekend trip to the Mideast, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says a quick cease-fire would amount to a "false promise." She says she'll talk to Middle East leaders -- but not Hezbollah or Syria.Lebanese refugees flee to port; Israeli warplanes attack USA Today - 2 hours, 54 minutes ago
Israeli tanks, bulldozers and armored personnel carriers knocked down a fence and barreled over the Lebanese border Saturday as forces seized a village from the Hezbollah guerrilla group. Tens of thousands of Lebanese fleeing north packed into the port of Sidon to escape the fighting as the United Nations warned of a growing humanitarian "disaster." Early Sunday, warplanes for the first time hit Israel lets aid in as Lebanese flee north AP via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 45 minutes ago
Zeinab Haidar fled her bombed-out home in the back of a pickup truck without a single possession, weaving along mountain roads until she finally reached a pocket of safety Saturday. Tens of thousands had beaten her there, and the city was teetering under the weight of refugees.Iraq: Top Cleric Calls for Peace as Many Try to Flee OneWorld.net via Yahoo! News - Jul 22 5:33 PM
SAN FRANCISCO, Jul 22 (OneWorld) - Iraq's most revered Shi'ite cleric called for an end to sectarian violence Friday, just days after separate announcements declared that, on average, 100 Iraqi civilians died every day in May and June and more than a 1,000 fled their homes each day over the past five months.700,000 Left Homeless Says Agency Sky News via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News - Jul 21 11:55 PM
More than 700,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Lebanon, an aid worker has told Sky News. More than 100,000 are believed to have fled to neighbouring countries like Syria, while 600,000 have escaped cities targeted by the Israel missiles.Letters, faxes, and e-mail Mobile Register - Jul 22 2:43 AM
For more than 25 years, various organizations which I have been a part of, local and national, have been telling our State Department that the Syrians are the "bad guys" in the Middle East. The State Department has agreed with us, and Syria has been on our terrorist list since its inception.Syria rejects Norwegian diplomat for UN negotiation team People's Daily - Jul 19 10:34 PM
Syria said it would turn away a UN mission to cool the escalating Israel-Lebanon conflict unless it excluded one of its key negotiators, Norwegian Terje Roed-Larsen, Syria's UN Ambassador said Wednesday.Diplomatic efforts intensify in Mideast conflict AFP via Yahoo! News - Jul 22 2:58 PM
Vigorous diplomatic efforts were under way this weekend to end surging violence in the Middle East, but there were few signs that Israel's main backer, the United States, was ready to exert pressure.Peace to come through 'confronting' Hezbollah: Bush New Kerala - Jul 22 6:26 AM
Washington: US President George Bush Saturday said ending the spiralling conflict between Israel and Lebanon could only be achieved by "confronting" militant group Hezbollah, as well as Syria and Iran that support it.Rice Seeks Long-Term Peace on Mideast Trip Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune - Jul 21 11:16 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice rejected the "false promise'' of an immediate cease-fire in the spreading war between Israel and Hezbollah on Friday and said she would seek long-term peace during a trip to the Mideast beginning Sunday. The top U.S. diplomat defended her decision not to meet with Hezbollah leaders or their Syrian backers during her visit. "Syria knows what it Surfer becomes soldier in Israeli draft CNN.com - Jul 22 5:19 PM
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Roy Bass emerged from the Mediterranean waves at noon Friday for a Popsicle break when, surfboard in hand, he heard his cell phone ringing on the beach. It was a recorded message: "An emergency draft has been activated."Over 200 more people evacuated to Moscow from Lebanon Interfax - Jul 22 12:28 AM
MOSCOW. July 22 (Interfax) - An Ilyushin Il-76 and an Il-62 aircraft belonging to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry delivered over 200 citizens of Russia and other CIS countries evacuated from Lebanon through Syria and Cyprus to Moscow early on Saturday.Cyprus braces for more evacuees Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jul 22 4:25 PM
Tiny Cyprus braced to take in nearly 10,000 more fugitives from Lebanon on Sunday as the United Nations urged international donors to send aid swiftly to the far greater numbers of people left behind.Bush: Syria trying to influence Lebanon AP via Yahoo! News - Jul 18 7:06 PM
President Bush said Tuesday he suspects Syria is trying to reassert influence in Lebanon more than a year after Damascus ended what had effectively been a long-term military occupation of its smaller, weaker neighbor.U.N.: Conference Will Focus on Truce Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune - Jul 21 8:10 PM
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's call for a high-level conference will focus on reaching agreement on the political underpinnings of a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militia, the top U.N. envoy on Lebanon and Syria said Friday. The conference in Rome on Wednesday will bring together key players from the Mideast and the international community that Rice again rules out a quick cease-fire as a false promise DEBKAfile - Jul 22 12:00 AM
Ahead of her Middle East trip next week, the US secretary of state said she would not talk to officials from Hizballah or Syria. Syria knows what it needs to do and Hizballah is the source of the problem she said.