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UK 'damaged' by Lebanon war delay UK 'damaged' by Lebanon war delay
(about 8 hours later)
The UK's reputation was damaged when the government hesitated in calling for an immediate end to the Lebanon war last year, MPs have said.The UK's reputation was damaged when the government hesitated in calling for an immediate end to the Lebanon war last year, MPs have said.
At the time, then-PM Tony Blair was criticised for waiting a few weeks before eventually calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.At the time, then-PM Tony Blair was criticised for waiting a few weeks before eventually calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
The foreign affairs committee also said it was "counterproductive" not to talk to Palestinian militant group Hamas.The foreign affairs committee also said it was "counterproductive" not to talk to Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The government should "urgently" engage with moderate elements, it added.The government should "urgently" engage with moderate elements, it added.
Despite criticism of Mr Blair's policies, the committee welcomed his appointment as a Middle East envoy.Despite criticism of Mr Blair's policies, the committee welcomed his appointment as a Middle East envoy.
'Indiscriminate' bombing'Indiscriminate' bombing
He took up the post of envoy for the Quartet, comprising the EU, UN, Russia and US, when he resigned as British prime minister in June.He took up the post of envoy for the Quartet, comprising the EU, UN, Russia and US, when he resigned as British prime minister in June.
However, the committee, in its report entitled Global Security: The Middle East, said a quicker response from the government in July last year "could have led to reduced casualties amongst both Israeli and Lebanese civilians whilst still working towards a long-term solution to the crisis".However, the committee, in its report entitled Global Security: The Middle East, said a quicker response from the government in July last year "could have led to reduced casualties amongst both Israeli and Lebanese civilians whilst still working towards a long-term solution to the crisis".
It called some of Israel's military actions in Lebanon during the war "indiscriminate and disproportionate".It called some of Israel's military actions in Lebanon during the war "indiscriminate and disproportionate".
It particularly highlighted the attacks on United Nations observers and the dropping of more than 3.5 million cluster bombs (90% of the total) in the 72 hours after the UN Security Council passed the resolution which effectively ended the war.It particularly highlighted the attacks on United Nations observers and the dropping of more than 3.5 million cluster bombs (90% of the total) in the 72 hours after the UN Security Council passed the resolution which effectively ended the war.
The government should engage with moderate Hezbollah parliamentarians, the committee said.The government should engage with moderate Hezbollah parliamentarians, the committee said.
This should happen, it added, even though the influence of Hezbollah's military wing, "along with Iran's and Syria's, continues to be a malign one".This should happen, it added, even though the influence of Hezbollah's military wing, "along with Iran's and Syria's, continues to be a malign one".
Hamas policy 'counterproductive'Hamas policy 'counterproductive'
Among other Middle East policy areas under scrutiny, the MPs criticised the government's decision "not to speak to Hamas" as "counterproductive".Among other Middle East policy areas under scrutiny, the MPs criticised the government's decision "not to speak to Hamas" as "counterproductive".
The stance, also taken by the Quartet, followed the creation of a unity government between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas in February.The stance, also taken by the Quartet, followed the creation of a unity government between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas in February.
"A national unity government could and should have been established much earlier than the spring of 2007," the MPs said."A national unity government could and should have been established much earlier than the spring of 2007," the MPs said.
"Given the failure of the boycott to deliver results, the government should urgently consider ways of engaging politically with moderate elements within Hamas as a way of encouraging it to meet the three Quartet principles.""Given the failure of the boycott to deliver results, the government should urgently consider ways of engaging politically with moderate elements within Hamas as a way of encouraging it to meet the three Quartet principles."
These are non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations.These are non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations.
Israel, the US and EU consider Hamas a terrorist organisation and say they will not deal with it directly until it renounces violence and recognises Israel.Israel, the US and EU consider Hamas a terrorist organisation and say they will not deal with it directly until it renounces violence and recognises Israel.
'Irrelevant roadmap''Irrelevant roadmap'
The committee described the Middle East "roadmap" as "largely...an irrelevance in the dynamic of the Arab-Israeli conflict".The committee described the Middle East "roadmap" as "largely...an irrelevance in the dynamic of the Arab-Israeli conflict".
In its report, it said: "The unwillingness of the Quartet to challenge robustly the failure by both sides to meet their obligations has undermined its usefulness as a vehicle for peace."In its report, it said: "The unwillingness of the Quartet to challenge robustly the failure by both sides to meet their obligations has undermined its usefulness as a vehicle for peace."
But it did endorse the "failed" road map's objectives of "an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state peacefully co-existing with a secure Israel and an end to the occupation that began in 1967".But it did endorse the "failed" road map's objectives of "an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state peacefully co-existing with a secure Israel and an end to the occupation that began in 1967".
The MPs also warned the government not to use the phrases "war on terror" or "arc of extremism" as they were "unhelpful and that such oversimplifications may lead to dangerous policy implications".The MPs also warned the government not to use the phrases "war on terror" or "arc of extremism" as they were "unhelpful and that such oversimplifications may lead to dangerous policy implications".
Mike Gapes, the Labour MP who chairs the committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he hoped Tony Blair's record on the Middle East could see the former prime minister become "like Richard Nixon going to China".
Mr Gapes added: "From experience in Northern Ireland, we all know that you have to engage with people."