CANADIAN PM STANDS UP FOR ISRAEL

Harper Stands Up For Israel (NYSun)
Prime Minister Harper is in form once again. "Prime Minister Stephen Harper wanted to leave his mark on the world stage at this week's Francophonie summit, and Friday morning he did just that," canada.com reports (via Aly).

Harper angered Lebanon and an assortment of other Arab, Muslim and French-speaking states in a meeting to draft a political declaration on this summer's war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Canada's rookie prime minister vetoed an amendment to a statement that said the 53-member organization "deplored" the effect of the month-long conflict on the Lebanese civilians it endangered. The amendment was brought forward by the Egyptian delegation and backed by "a majority" of countries at the table, according to French President Jacques Chirac.

"The amendment wants to recognize and deplore the war and recognize the victims of Lebanon. We are able to deplore the war, we are able to recognize the victims, but on both sides," Harper said at what was supposed to be a closing news conference.

"The Francophonie cannot recognize victims according to their nationality. Recognize the victims of Lebanon and the victims of Israel." The issue has now forced leaders to extend the meeting into the day in an attempt to get past the political stalemate.