Sir, Israel is not the only democracy in the region (leading article, August 1). And even if it were, that does not absolve it of human rights violations of international law. Furthermore, the idea of Israel facing an existential threat is absurd, given that it is the region’s only nuclear power, with one of the world’s most sophisticated armies, backed by the world’s only superpower.

Lebanon has enjoyed a democratically elected parliament for six decades, and its latest elections, held in June 2005, were heralded by the US as the region’s most promising democracy.

Hezbollah, as a Lebanese political party, participated and achieved about 20 per cent of seats in parliament. The Palestinian Government is run by Hamas, also democratically elected. Interestingly, the regimes you are worried about being unsettled — Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt — are undemocratic.

BAHI GHUBRIL
London WC2

Sir, One unanswered question about the current Middle East crisis must be what role was played by the UN observers on the Israel-Lebanon frontier in the crucial months preceding the hostilities. As observers, did they not see any signs of the build-up of Hezbollah forces which took place so close to the Israeli frontier? Did they not report this or express any concerns to their superiors? Or did they remain silent even though preparations for a possible attack in Israel must have been a serious possibility? Kofi Annan should order an urgent and full investigation into what went wrong — not least to ensure more efficient coverage from any future monitoring body.

LOUIS MARKS
East Molesey, Surrey

Sir, The US Government has been criticised for failing to prepare effective long-term plans for the transition of Iraq from dictatorship to democracy. Now those same commentators are criticising the US and Britain for seeking a long-term solution to the Lebanon-Israel problem rather than supporting an immediate ceasefire which, though beneficial to the civilian populations, would do nothing to solve the deeper issues that caused the violence.

It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that much of the clamour is driven by anti- Americanism and anti-Bush sentiment rather than practical and political common sense.

RICHARD TODD
Mattingley, Hants

Sir, Gerry Randall states that “for most of the 19th and 20th centuries the office of Foreign Secretary was regarded as one of Britain’s great offices of state” (letter, July 29).

It is precisely the selfish narrow-minded policies of that period that have landed us with the terrible situations to be found worldwide. The arbitary divisions of Africa and the Middle East, assisted by the other nation states of Europe, performed with no thought of religious and ethnic differencies, have resulted in the violence and hatred which permeate those regions.

We have a moral duty to do all in our power to redress the situation, and if this means distancing ourselves from the new imperialism of the US, so be it.

DAVID CONQUEST
Zakynthos, Greece

Sir, Professor Sir Bryan Thwaites accuses what he calls “the Bush-Blair duopoly” of “self-righteousness” (letter, August 1) .

If this is what has brought about the destruction of such unspeakable regimes as those of the Taleban in Afghanistan,Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Slobodan Milosevic in the former Yuogoslavia and now confronts murderous terrorism whether from al-Qaeda or Hezbollah, then let us be thankful that the West has at least two leaders who are prepared to fight for the things that matter.

ROBIN HOWARD
Croydon

Sir, Is it just too naive to ask why the Israeli Government and military appear to be disobeying the Mosaic commandment: “Thou shalt not kill”? And why are Hezbollah and other Arabic fighers and authorities determined to slaughter human beings created by the Omnipotent and Merciful One. Is it not a sin to arrogate to Man that which is solely the right of God? Are political considerations the new acceptable bases of combatants’ faith, or are these mysteries beyond the understanding of simple folk in the irreligious and apostate West?

P. J. B. ARNOLD
Wellingborough, Northants

Sir, How can the Israelis, Bush and Blair think they can ever achieve lasting peace in the Middle East by allowing Israel to continue its futile attempt to “defeat” Hezbollah? All that is being achieved, apart from the destruction of Lebanon, is the attraction of new recruits to the extremist cause.

Syria has indicated that it is ready for talks, but nowhere do I see any reference by Western leaders to the vital importance of inviting Syria to participate in negotations. Unless military action is replaced by negotiation, I can only see disastrous consequences for our relations with the Muslim world.

SIR HAROLD ATCHERLEY
Long Melford, Suffolk

Sir, Governments and diplomats salve their consciences by calling for a ceasefire or a truce or negotiated settlement or the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force to end the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

What could be done to Israel or to Hezbollah if either or both sides refuse to be bound by any agreement?

DOREEN SAMUELS
Pinner, Middx

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