Lebanon waits for peacekeepers

The guns are silent but still very much present Keystone

With a ceasefire in place between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the focus is now on getting peacekeepers in place as quickly as possible to avoid further outbreaks of violence.

The conflict has exposed contradictions and biases in many countries’ foreign policies, not least in Switzerland, where the politicians are divided over how “neutral” Switzerland should respond.

Swiss aid to Lebanon

Switzerland has given the Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross SFr5.2 million ($4.3 million) for relief work in Lebanon.

The country has also sent food, medicine and bulding materials, along with a dozen humanitarian specialists.

The foreign ministry says it will support peacekeeping efforts financially, but does not expect Swiss personnel to be involved initially.

Swiss Solidarity, the fund-raising arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, is raising money to help child victims in the Middle East. Donations can be made online (see link below) or to Post Office account: 10-15000-6, marked “Child victims of war”.