Bush says Israel has a right to defend itself

US President George Bush today criticised Hezbollah for thwarting peace efforts in the Middle East and said Israel had the right to defend itself.

Bush also said Syria “needs to be held to account” for supporting and harbouring Hezbollah.

Bush’s comments, during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Stralsund, Germany, came as Israel intensified attacks in Lebanon in response to a cross-border raid by Hezbollah guerrillas yesterday during which two Israeli soldiers were captured.

“My attitude is this: There are a group of terrorists who want to stop the advance of peace,” he said. “Those of us who are peace-loving must work together to help the agents of peace, Israel, (Palestinian) President (Mahmoud) Abbas and others to achieve their objective.”

Pressed on whether Israel’s military assaults could trigger a wider war, Bush said he was concerned about any activity that would weaken or topple the Lebanese government. “Having said that, people need to protect themselves,” he said of Israel.

“Hezbollah doesn’t want there to be peace, the militant arm of Hamas doesn’t want there to be peace, and those of us who do want peace will continue to work together to encourage peace,” Bush said.

“If you really want the situation to settle down, the soldiers need to be returned,” the president said.

“It’s really sad where people are willing to take innocent life in order to stop that progress. As a matter of fact, it’s pathetic.”