Government stops EU call for ceasefire - doesn't it make you proud

10.19.05am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 2nd Aug 2006

Front page of the Independent newspaper showing support for the state of Israel

As the state of Israel launches a major offensive with ground troops inside Lebanon our beloved Government stops the European Union calling for a ceasefire - doesn't it make you proud.

Yesterday EU foreign ministers, led by Margaret Beckett rejected a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and text that referred to Israel's bombardment of Lebanon as "a severe breach of international humanitarian law". Instead they called "for an immediate cessation of hostilities to be followed by a sustainable ceasefire". This was followed by the UN postponing a full security council discussion as previously promised by Tony Blair.

Also last night it became clear that the state of Israel was launching a major offensive with ground troops and even Special Forces landing north of Beirut in the Beka'a valley - there have been reports of heavy fighting in Baalbek. On Newsnight last night they had an Israeli government spokesperson saying they only needed another ten days of fighting - it looks like the US and the UK are determined to allowed the state of Israel at least another ten days before actually calling for a ceasefire!