Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Peres: Israel allowing humanitarian aid into Lebanon


Shimon Peres said, "Whenever we are asked, we agreed" if Israel considered the aid flights legitimate.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres said Wednesday that Israel has opened its airspace to planes from Arab countries carrying humanitarian aid to Lebanon.

Speaking from Washington, Peres said there have been a number of such flights, but would not identify the countries providing assistance. Israel normally won't allow overflights from Arab nations with whom it does not have diplomatic relations -- a position also taken by such Arab countries.

"Whenever we are asked, we agreed, as long we we are convinced" they are legitimate, said Peres.

The vice premier added that Israel expects the safe release of two soldiers whose capture July 12 by Hezbollah set off weeks of fighting. The latest information he's received suggests the men "are alive and they are healthy," he said.

Peres is in the United States to raise money for parts of northern Israel damaged by Hezbollah rockets launched from southern Lebanon during the recent fighting. He launched the fund-raising effort at the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
Posted By Paul Courson, CNN Washington Bureau: 8/16/2006 01:22:00 PM ET | Permalink
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