Mr. Minister, thank you for joining us here today. However, before you leave, since we haven't exhausted the subject, I'd like to ask you a question.
First of all, what is your take on the fact that in Israel -- I regularly read the newspaper Ha'aretz -- “a Hezbollah victory” is seen as having fairly dramatic consequences for the Middle East? Furthermore, Israel, a country reputed -- and I believe it's true -- to have the most efficient intelligence service, indeed probably more efficient that the US intelligence service -- has attacked Lebanon, and not Hezbollah, with the kind of force that the vast majority of observers have deemed exaggerated and excessive. Hasn't Israel given Hezbollah, which Lebanon was in the process of demilitarizing, the opportunity to demonstrate that it is in fact defending Lebanon?
Mr. Minister, the situation today is far more complex than it was prior to the onset of hostilities. I'll leave you with that. However, the situation does warrant some reflection, because I'm deeply concerned about your comments regarding a permanent and sustainable ceasefire, in light of what's happening in the region.