It looks like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the United Nations Human Rights Council are on the same page.
Ahmadinejad made a call of support and congratulations to the Lebanese President Emile Lahoud today. It was the least he could do, since it was his country’s support for Hezbollah that has resulted in Lebanon being left in ruins today:
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a phone talk with his Lebanese counterpart, President Emile Lahoud, congratulated him and the Lebanese nation, calling the Lebanese resistance “The banner of grandeur and pride for the entire Islamic Ummah.”
He added, “Relying on the US support, the Zionists were determined to occupy Lebanon once again, and this time they were also intending to disintegrate your country, but the people’s resistance and the government’s support once again inflicted a heavy loss against them, and the Muslims have the honor for this victory.”
Ahmadinejad emphasized that the Zionist forces must immediately leave the Lebanese soil and to compensate Lebanon for the losses they have inflicted against that country, adding, “The leaders of the Zionist regime, and their supporters, particularly the United States and Britain, have to be put on trial for the crimes that they have committed at an international court of justice.”
On Friday, the UN Human Rights Council with member states Cuba, China and Saudi Arabia, agreed to “Condemn ‘Israeli violations’ in Lebanon” while not mentioning Hezbollah:
The U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday condemned Israel for “massive bombardment of Lebanese civilian populations” and other “systematic” human rights violations, and decided to send a commission to investigate.
(The council refused to insert “Hezbollah” into the text.)
The council voted 27-11 to pass the resolution, which was proposed by the 57-country Organization of the Islamic Conference. Among those voting for the resolution were China, Russia, India, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Zambia and South Africa. Guatemala and seven other countries abstained.
In a meeting July 6, the body voted 29-11 to deplore Israel’s military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It has no powers to punish countries beyond public condemnation. However, Arbour, a former Canadian Supreme Court justice, warned there could be other proceedings for any war crimes.
“I remind all belligerents that war crimes and crimes against humanity may be committed even by those who believe, accurately or not, that their combat is a just one and their cause a worthy pursuit,” she said.
Related… the Real Ugly American thinks he sees another connection.
Previously:
New UN Human Rights Council Ensures Violators Are Included
World! Please Welcome Your New Human Rights Leaders!
UN Votes on Human Rights Council Members Today
UN Human Rights Council Welcomes Notorious Thug
Iran Says New UN Human Rights Council Will Act on US
Kofi Annan Welcomes Iranians to UN Human Rights Council
China, Cuba & Rest of UN Human Rights Council Criticize US
UN Human Rights Council Threatens Israel with War Crimes