The world reacts to the capture by Hezbollah of two Israeli soldiers on the border with Lebanon, and the subsequent ground assault by Israeli forces - the first time Israel has crossed the border in six years:

Ehud Olmert, Israeli Prime Minister

"The events this morning are not terror attacks but actions of a sovereign state that attacked Israel for no reason. The Lebanese government, of which Hezbollah is a member, is trying to destabilize regional stability. Lebanon is responsible and it will bear responsibility.

"These are difficult days for the state of Israel and its citizens. There are elements in the north and south that threaten our stability and challenge our stamina and determination. They will fail and pay a dear price for their actions."

Hezbollah

"Fulfilling its pledge to liberate the (Arab) prisoners and detainees, the Islamic Resistance... captured two Israeli soldiers at the border with occupied Palestine. The two captives were transferred to a safe place."

Osama Hamdan, Hamas spokesman in Lebanon

"We have proven to this enemy (Israel) that the one option is the release of Palestinian, Lebanese and Arab captives. All captives, without exception. Now Israeli has to decide on its choices.”

Amir Peretz, Israeli Defence Minister

"Israel holds the Lebanese government fully responsible for this morning’s attack along the northern border. Lebanon is directly responsible for the fate of the soldiers and must act immediately to locate them, prevent any harm to them and return them to Israel."

Faruq al-Shara, Syrian Vice President

"It is certain that the occupation is provoking the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples. That’s why there is a Lebanese resistance and a Palestinian resistance. Resistance is necessary at a time when the Zionist entity is launching attacks and carrying out massacres against the Palestinian people."

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