Rice condemns Hezbollah for undermining regional stability

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice condemned in Paris Wednesday the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Lebanese militia group Hezbollah, which "undermines regional stability".

"I condemn today's kidnapping by Hezbollah, a terrorist organization, of two Israeli soldiers," Rice said in a statement issued in Paris ahead of a foreign ministers meeting over the Iranian nuclear issue.

"Hezbollah's action undermines regional stability and goes against the interests of both the Israeli and Lebanese people," she said, noting that she had discussed the situation with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

"We are united in determination to achieve the release of the Israeli soldiers," she said.

She called on Israel for restraint. "All sides must act with restraint to resolve this incident peacefully and to protect innocent life and civilian infrastructures," she said.

The Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran, captured two Israeli soldiers on Wednesday and killed several others at the Israeli-Lebanese borders in an operation that induced a military offensive by Israel in southern Lebanon.

"Syria has a special responsibility to use its influence to support a positive outcome," Rice added.

Source: Xinhua