Jordan Times
Thursday, August 3, 2006
Khatib renews
call for ceasefire
By Khaled Nuaimat
BEIRUT — Jordan on Wednesday reiterated the call
for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further bloodshed and destruction in
Lebanon, Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib said during a visit to the
war-stricken country.
“The priority now is to end this criminal aggression against Lebanon,” the
minister added.
Khatib held separate talks with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister
Fuad Siniora and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nabih Berri.
During the visit, Siniora called Jordan’s stand toward the current Israeli
aggression against Lebanon “very helpful” and highlighted the “exceptional
humanitarian support” the Kingdom has provided since the first attacks. He
described Khatib’s visit to Beirut as “very important.”
“The minister carried a message to all Lebanese confirming His Majesty King
Abdullah’s and the Jordanian people’s full support to Lebanon,” added the
premier.
Meanwhile, Lahoud told reporters he would accept an expansion, in terms of
equipment, of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, but he would not
agree to new forces being added.
Khatib also expressed continued support for Siniora’s 7-point plan presented at
the Rome conference last week, which reflected a unified Lebanese position to
restore stability in the country.
“Our interest in Jordan is for a healthy and unharmed Lebanon, thus we are
exerting our utmost efforts to ensure stability in Lebanon... What harms Lebanon
hurts Jordan as well,” Khatib said.
Khatib also visited the Jordan field hospital along with the Lebanese Minister
of Education and Higher Education Khaled Kabbani, and was briefed on the
facilities’ activities by hospital commander, Colonel Murtada Majali.
According to receptionist Ayman Momani, 500-600 persons receive treatment in the
hospital daily, such as Nadeen Yaseen, 28, whose child was injured during an
Israeli attack on the Southern Suburb of Beirut.
Also included are patients who have health conditions not related to the
conflict, such as Maher Sous, 35, from Harat Hreik in southern Lebanon, who told
The Jordan Times he could not find help except in the Jordanian facility for his
wife who needed treatment following open heart surgery.
According to Majali, 2,460 patients have so far been treated at the field
hospital.