Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday urged the United Nations to
enforce the shaky ceasefire between Lebanon's Hezbollah group and Israel, after
the world body condemned Israel's violation of the truce.
"Lebanon has been destroyed, now Israel has violated the truce," Chavez said.
"I hope the UN is capable of making the North American empire (the United
States) and Israel respect Lebanon."
Israeli commandos launched a raid on a Hezbollah stronghold near the Bodai
village in eastern Lebanon early Saturday to prevent weapons from being
transferred to Hezbollah from Iran and Syria, according to the Israeli army.
It was the first time that Israel launched a formal military strike since the
UN-brokered cease-fire went into effect last Monday.
Chavez also called on countries to make donations to help Lebanon's
reconstruction.
Venezuela, the world's fifth largest crude oil exporter, last month gave its
humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, which included water and medicine, and sent
15 emergency relief officials.
