Israel welcomes G8 statement blaming 'extremists'

JERUSALEM, July 16: Israel today welcomed a statement by Group of Eight leaders on the upsurge in West Asia violence, saying it backed its call for Hizbollah to free two Israeli soldiers and halt rocket fire on the Jewish state.

''Israel concurs with the position of the international community, which places responsibility for the conflict on extremist elements,'' said Israel's Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni.

''(Israel) sees the path to a solution through the release of the abducted soldiers, a cessation of rocket fire on Israel, and full implementation of (UN) resolution 1559,'' she added in a statement.

REUTERS