JERUSALEM – U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan demanded yesterday that Hezbollah free two Israeli soldiers whose kidnapping sparked the Lebanon war.
Annan, on a visit to Beirut, indicated the United Nations was willing to take part in behind-the-scenes contacts between Israel and the Shiite terror group to win their release.
He urged Hezbollah to transfer the soldiers to the Lebanese government “or a third party” under the auspices of the International Red Cross.
“We, the U.N., will be prepared to play a role if we are required to do so. And I offer our services,” he said.
His comments came amid reports that German, Italian and Lebanese mediators – and Jesse Jackson, now in Syria – are trying to arrange a swap of the soldiers for Muslim prisoners held by Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, meanwhile, said three investigations of the Lebanese war effort would be conducted – but not a judicial probe, as critics have demanded.
Olmert said a judicial investigation, armed with subpoena power, could paralyze Israel for months.
He is trying to quiet the calls for his resignation, coming from Israelis who say he botched the Lebanon war.
With Post Wire Services