France condemns Israel, Bush talks to Lebanon PM

PARIS, July 14 (Reuters) France today condemned Israel's offensive in Lebanon as ''completely disproportionate'' and Beirut said it had been assured by US President George W Bush he would press Israel to limit civilian casualties.

The Vatican also deplored the strikes mounted in response to a raid by Hizbollah guerrillas who killed eight Israeli soldiers and captured two. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, called them an extreme threat to peace in the region.

But Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, speaking on Thursday night, described the campaign of bombing and rocket attacks on power stations, bridges, roads and militant bases as a measured response resting on the right of self-defence.

French President Jacques Chirac said in a television interview: ''One can ask oneself whether there isn't a sort of desire to destroy Lebanon.

''I find, honestly, like most Europeans, that the reactions are completely disproportionate.'' Chirac also condemned Hizbollah for attacking Israel and firing rockets into the Jewish state. ''These people are totally irresponsible,'' he said.

More than 60 civilians have been killed in Lebanon and two in Israel. Lebanon has been blockaded by land, sea and air.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora urged Bush by telephone today to use all his influence on Israel to ''stop its aggression on Lebanon, reach a comprehensive ceasefire and lift its blockade'', the prime minister's office said in a statement.

''President Bush stressed that he was keen on pressing Israel to contain the damage to Lebanon and to avoid inflicting harm on innocent civilians,'' the statement said.

RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENCE Bush said yesterday ''Israel has the right to defend herself'', and made clear he felt its actions were justified.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano said Pope Benedict and his aides were deeply concerned.

''In particular, the Holy See deplores right now the attack on Lebanon, a free and sovereign nation, and assures its closeness to these people who already have suffered so much to defend their independence,'' he told Vatican Radio.

Hizbollah, the Syrian- and Iranian-backed Lebanese militia group, wants to trade the captured Israeli soldiers for Arab prisoners held in Israel.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel would not dare move against the Islamic republic, according to state television.

Arab governments have agreed to send their foreign ministers to Cairo for an emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and incursions into Gaza.

Saudi Arabia on Thursday blamed ''elements'' inside Lebanon for the violence, in unusually frank language directed at guerrilla group Hizbollah and its Iranian backers.

''A distinction must be made between legitimate resistance and uncalculated adventures undertaken by elements inside (Lebanon) and those behind them without recourse to the legal authorities and consulting and coordinating with Arab nations,'' a statement carried by the official news agency SPA said.

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